Papa Clem- 2009 Derby Contender

Papa Clem

Pedigree: Smart Strike - Miss Houdini (Belong To Me)

Owner: Bo Hirsch

Trainer: Gary Stute

Side of hat: Silks

Back of hat: BO HIRSCH STABLES

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$19.95

PAPA CLEM WINS THE ARKANSAS DERBY!

NEXT START: The Kentucky Derby

Southern California shipper Papa Clem outfought even-money choice Old Fashioned in a thrilling stretch duel at Oaklawn Park to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) by a half-length April 11.

Rafael Bejarano was able to get the speedy Papa Clem to relax mid-pack for much of the 1 1/8-mile journey, rallying four paths wide off the final turn to challenge Old Fashioned in the lane. Papa Clem had the lead at the eighth pole but Old Fashioned wasn't done, battling back along the inside for Terry Thompson and refusing to give way until the final strides. The final time was 1:49.01 on a fast track.

Papa Clem's second win in six starts was worth $600,000 and assured the bay colt of a spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

It was the first graded win for the Bo Hirsch homebred Papa Clem. Hirsch named the colt for his father, Clement L. Hirsch. The son of Smart Strike is out of the Belong to Me mare Miss Houdini, another Bo Hirsch homebred who won the 2002 Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) in 2002.

Winning trainer Gary Stute is the nephew of Warren Stute, who trained Miss Houdini. Gary Stute's father, Mel Stute, trained Snow Chief, who established the Oaklawn Park record for 1 1/8 miles of 1:46 3/5 in the 1987 Oaklawn Handicap.