Sam Houston: Papaw Brodie extends winning streak in Connally Turf Cup

Jack Coady/Coady Photography

Papa Brodie, ridden for the first time by Rosie Napravnik, captures the Grade 3 Connally Turf Cup.

Papaw Bodie became a stakes winner while winning his fourth consecutive race Saturday night in the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston. He rallied for a 1 3/4-length win over Proceed Bee. It was another half-length back in third to Little Wagon.

The Connally Turf Cup was the richest race of the meet at Sam Houston.

Papaw Bodie ($4.60) settled in fifth early, as Little Wagon set the pace in the 1 1/8-mile turf race run on firm ground, showing the way through fractions of 24.94 seconds for the opening quarter, 49 for the half-mile, and 1:13.18 for six furlongs. The eventual winner overtook the leader in the stretch and covered the distance in 1:49.84.

“Papaw Bodie was great to ride,” said Rosie Napravnik, who was aboard for trainer Mike Maker. “I had never ridden him, but he was very straightforward on his form.”

Papaw Bodie began his win streak in a first-level allowance at Arlington Park last September. At Keeneland in October, he proceeded to win a $50,000 claiming race, from which he was taken by Maker and client Connie Apostelos. Papaw Bodie then took an optional $62,500 claiming allowance at Gulfstream Park in December before making his stakes debut in the Connally.

“This is a dream come true,” said Apostelos, an Ohio resident who was winning her first graded stakes. “I got into this business a couple of years ago by way of my friend, Jeff Colombro. I have just become addicted to it! To get a graded stake so early in three years is wonderful. I am so grateful to Mike and Rosie.”

Papaw Bodie, a 5-year-old gelding by Strong Hope, has now won 6 of 15 starts and $257,211.