Night Officer

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Talking about this race on ATR later...

Of interest in here for historic reasons is Pletcher's Claiborne homebred CONGO. His family dates to E.P. Taylor, including patriarch WINDFIELDS, Taylor's first breeding shed product. Also notable on Congo's page is third dam FRANFRELUCHE, the Canadian filly that was a fine runner but especially prolific mare getting 18 foals including L'ENJOLEUR (Canadian HOY) and LA VOYAGEUSE (3X Canadian Champion). Franfreluche was also involved in an American version of the Shergar story (of sorts), having been stolen from Claiborne in 1977 and found on a family farm 5 months later. (The family had found her wandering down a road near their farm). All three were crowning achievements in the racing empire of famed Quebecois titan Jean-Louis Levesque, who died in his 80's while I was living in Montreal. He was a remarkable man on many levels, and long a role model for French-Canadian achievement.

Congo may or may not be much, but a Pletcher stat of note is that since June 24, his FTS have won 7 of 15 debuts... Pletcher also unviels ORALE VATO in this race.

They tried to sell Congo at the Keeneland April Sale. She worked just mediocre. They couldn't sell her. They bought her back for $120k.

The filly that worked great in this race is Casperzapper but I don't know if she will like the dirt. Most of her dams's progeny were grass horses. In addition, the trainer is 0 for 18 with first-time starters.