Pair of unraced Capuano colts sure to earn respect
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Trainer Gary Capuano will send out his first juveniles this year in a $47,000 maiden special weight on Sunday at Laurel Park. As the track winds its way toward a summer hiatus in July, Capuano and several other trainers are looking to make hay in the five-furlong sprint.
The field of eight juveniles will include six first-time starters, including a pair of colts from Capuano’s barn. Westbound Cat and Lucky Siete were both purchased at auction last year and are sure to earn respect from bettors, if only because of their connections.
“I kind of wanted to get something there before the meet closed, get somebody running at Laurel before we have to ship out of town,” Capuano said. “They’re both just about ready. It’s a little quicker than I would like to have them ready, but everything looks good.”
With a modest but mighty string of 17 juveniles last year, Capuano enjoyed one of the best 2-year-old seasons in the country, winning 24 of 62 starts and six stakes. The trainer will start a new campaign with a similar number of horses, though he’s tempering expectations in the wake of his historic run.
“I don’t know if that’ll happen [again],” Capuano said. “That was exceptional. Those years don’t happen too often. I’m hoping that they’re half as good this year.”
Westbound Cat and Lucky Siete are both by freshman sires and will be some of the first to run for Aloha West and Mandaloun, respectively. Capuano said value can often be found early in a sire’s breeding career, and he and his owners hope to capitalize.
Capuano’s debuting pair will be joined by homebred first-time starters for Brittany Russell and Michael Trombetta, who also trained several strong 2-year-olds in the Mid-Atlantic last year. Russell will send out Our Charm, a Goldencents colt bred and owned by Glassman Racing, while Trombetta has entered Rainonthescarecrow, a Creative Cause colt owned and bred by The Elkstone Group.
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