Papacoolpapacool headed to Penn Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Papacoolpapacool extended his winning streak to three races in Saturday’s $79,750 La Puente Stakes, a victory that will lead to a start in the $500,000 Penn Mile for 3-year-olds on turf at Penn National on May 30.

“We’re progressing toward that race,” trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday. “I don’t see any reason not to go there. His confidence is through the roof.”

Papacoolpapacool ran a career-best performance in the La Puente Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, closing from fourth in a field of eight to win by 4 1/4 lengths as the 1-2 favorite under jockey Gary Stevens.

“He did it so easy,” D’Amato said. “I knew he was an improving horse. When they improve like that, they get good really quick.”

Papacoolpapacool, who races for Cellist Racing Group and Ali Nilforushan, is unbeaten since being transferred from Jeff Mullins to D’Amato in January.

For D’Amato, Papacoolpapacool had won an optional claimer on turf in February and the Pasadena Stakes on March 21 before the La Puente Stakes.