Strong Promise shows promise, but Gelner will be patient
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The heat wave that continues to grip the Southwest will dictate the schedule for the undefeated 2-year-old Strong Promise, who won the second stakes race of his career in the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile at Louisiana Downs.
Strong Promise was a 2 1/2-length winner of the sprint for Louisiana-breds on Aug. 5. For the effort, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 73. The son of Broken Vow races for Norman Stables and is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winning sprinter Midnight Fantasy.
“Strong Promise ran really good,” trainer Jayde Gelner said. “When he was called on, he did what he was supposed to do. He ran past them and kept going, it looked like. We’re really pleased with the race. It kind of shows he’ll be able to stretch out in distance. He’s not just a stone-cold sprinter."
Plans are to be determined, said Gelner.
“With the hot weather, you can’t really run back too quick," he said. "We might just sit on him until Delta. The Louisiana program offers so much for the pots. If you can stay with Louisiana-breds, it make sense to just stay that route for now.”
Strong Promise was a 10-length winner of his debut June 3, in a maiden special weight for statebreds at 4 1/2 furlongs at Evangeline Downs. He then accounted for a division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity at Lone Star Park before taking the Louisiana Cup Juvenile.
Gelner also won the Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies earlier this month at Louisiana Downs, with Tap Galore., who won her maiden in the race by 2 1/2 lengths over stablemate Diamond Deal. The fillies are both owned by Thompson Racing.
“I was pleased with both of their efforts,” Gelner said. “One-two in a stakes race – you can’t ask for anything more than that. We’ll let them rest up for a little bit and consider Delta.”
Tap Galore is a daughter of Tapiture and a half-sister to Chu Chu’s Legacy, a past winner of the Louisiana Cup Juvenile.
“Early on, her workmate was Strong Promise,” said Gelner.
Gelner has a 20-horse stable at Louisiana Downs.
Super Derby drawn Friday
Entries for the $200,000 Super Derby will be taken on Friday. The 1 1/8-mile race is set for Sept. 2.
Louisiana Downs has new ownership and it is rebuilding the Super Derby after a four-year absence. There were 34 horses nominated for the race, including 11 from trainer Brad Cox.
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