Recent purchase Couche Couche ready to pay dividends
Couche Couche will be making his first start for one of North America’s winningest trainers on Saturday night, when he runs in the $75,000 Equine Sales Derby at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La.
“We just bought him privately, literally the day before entries,” said Karl Broberg, who now trains Couche Couche for the horse’s new owner, Jerry Namy.
The Equine Sales Derby will have its first running Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile race is restricted to 3-year-old graduates of auctions put on by the Equine Sales Co. near Evangeline. The six-horse field includes Ganges, a Triple Crown nominee by Gio Ponti.
Equine Sales Derby (Race 8)
KEY CONTENDERS
Couche Couche, by Pulling Punches
Last 3 Beyers: 83-76-67
◗ Broberg through Wednesday ranked as North America’s second-leading trainer by wins in 2016.
◗ Couche Couche comes off a 7 3/4-length romp in the $50,000 Ragin Cajun on April 9 at Evangeline. Couche Couche had one horse beat early in the seven-furlong race before overtaking his rivals at 15-1.
“It was an absolutely scintillating performance,” Broberg said. “Granted, he had some really fast fractions to run into. He looked amazing. Who knows? We’ll just see how far we can go with him.”
◗ Couche Couche was flattered following the Ragin Cajun, with third-place finisher Bill’s Production coming back to win a first-level allowance by more than seven lengths at Evangeline, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 80.
◗ Couche Couche will be going for his third straight win Saturday. Couche Couche’s streak started in a maiden special weight turf sprint in his third race Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds.
“He’s already won on the grass,” Broberg said. “He’s a Louisiana-bred, so you always have lots of options.”
◗ Couche Couche will be looking for his first two-turn win. He finished second and third in a pair of maiden special weight races last winter going two turns at Delta Downs.
“Who knows if they’ll be able to go two turns or not? But obviously it looks like he’s got a lot of talent,” said Broberg.
◗ Colby Hernandez has the mount from post 4.
Ganges, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 65-52-61
◗ He added blinkers last out April 13 and ran perhaps the best race of his young career when second in a maiden special weight at a mile at Evangeline.
◗ He is a half-brother to stakes winner Governmentshutdown.