Rumpole might try turf in Prelude Stakes

Rumpole, who has won three stakes in his last three starts, is under consideration for the $60,000 Prelude at Louisiana Downs, according to trainer Bob Young. The 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds is Aug. 5.

The Prelude is designed to produce starters for the $200,000 Super Derby, which will be run on grass for the first time when it is renewed Sept. 9. Rumpole has won stakes this year at Sam Houston and his base of Lone Star Park.

"We're looking at the race over at Shreveport, the Prelude," Young said. "We might go over there. He's never run on the grass, and I don't know whether he'd like the turf. There's not a lot of options for him. That's close, and that's something I'm considering. It's not a definite deal."

Young said one appeal of the Prelude is that it is restricted to 3-year-olds. The remaining stakes opportunity for Rumpole at Lone Star is next month’s $50,000 Assault, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Texas. But it is not being considered for the horse in part because he is a young 3-year-old, said Young.

“We’re not going to run against older horses,” Young said. “He’s a late foal. He’s like an April 30 baby. We’re going to run him in a straight 3-year-old spot.”

Rumpole won his two-turn debut last out in a $65,000 division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 77. Texas Chrome won that race last year before traveling to Louisiana Downs and winning both the Prelude and the Super Derby.

“I like him going two turns,” Young said. “My preference would be to run [in the Prelude]. I don’t know how he’ll like the grass and all that, [but] if I had my choice, I’d like to keep him running two turns if he shows that’s what he can do.”

Rumpole is a son of Too Much Bling who races for his breeder, Fletcher Properties. His other stakes wins have come at Sam Houston in a six-furlong division of the Texas Stallion Stakes and the Groovy.