Point Piper to get shot at big time in Awesome Again

ARCADIA, Calif. – Point Piper, the well-bred colt who sprang a $62 upset in the $86,000 Harry F. Brubaker at Del Mar on Aug. 28, will jump into a Grade 1 for his next start, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Wednesday.

The $300,000 Awesome Again, one of five Grade 1’s at Santa Anita on opening day, Sept. 26, is the target for Point Piper.

“I think he deserves a chance,” Hollendorfer said.

In fact, Point Piper could be one of the favorites.

Point Piper earned a career-best 95 Beyer when he won the Harry F. Brubaker by a half-length.

The 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race for the BC Classic. With the Pacific Classic-winning mare Beholder running Sept. 26 in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes, the Awesome Again could come up soft. Likely candidates include Pacific Classic runner-up Catch a Flight, Hard Aces and Hoppertunity.

Point Piper is a 5-year-old by Giant’s Causeway, produced by European Group 1 winner Imagine. In addition to Point Piper, her foals include Group 1 winner Horatio Nelson, Group 2 winner Kitty Matcham, and Group 1-placed Viscount Nelson.

Point Piper has won four races and $102,725 from 15 starts. He raced in Ireland, Texas, Kentucky and Louisiana before arriving in California.