Improving Cool Arrow targets Grade 3 Lecomte
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Cool Arrow has stepped up his game with each race and is now in line for a graded test following his win Sunday night in the $300,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park.
Cool Arrow overcame post 12 to win the Springboard Mile by 3 1/2 lengths, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 77. It was his second stakes win, following the $75,000 Kip Deville in September, also at Remington.
Joe Sharp, who trains Cool Arrow for Brad Grady, said the horse is now a candidate for the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte at Fair Grounds; the race at one mile and 70 yards is Jan. 21. Sharp said Cool Arrow is to return to Fair Grounds. He shipped to Remington from New Orleans.
“Provided all goes well, we’ll point him for the Lecomte,” Sharp said. “The timing is good, about six weeks. And it’s in our backyard.”
Sharp will be looking for his first Lecomte win as a trainer, but he was part of the team when Vicar’s In Trouble won the race in 2014 for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker.
Cool Arrow gave both Grady and Sharp their richest career wins in the Springboard Mile.
“He did it all the right way, so we’re excited,” Sharp said.
Sharp said Grady’s support was the reason he went out on his own as a trainer a few years ago and that sharing the milestone of their richest career win is meaningful.
“It’s just fun to do it together,” Sharp said. “He and I are very close, close friends, and our families are close. It’s a lot of fun when it comes together.”
Sharp also noted the smart ride that Luis Saez put on Cool Arrow from post 12.
“I was glad we were able to overcome the post position and be the best of that field,” he said. “It gives us a little reason to hope.”
Cool Arrow was one of two notable 2-year-old stakes winners in the region this fall for Sharp. He also sent out Line Judge to win the $200,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs on Oct. 22. Sharp said Line Judge is getting a 45-to-60-day freshening in Florida and will later return to his Fair Grounds division for owners Barry and Joni Butzow.