By Orville Clarke , Gleaner WriterHE'S NO Smarty Jones. But RUN PAPA RUN looked kinda smart when going wire to wire in Saturday's Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over 2000 metres, winning at odds of 6-1.
Ridden by in-form champion jockey Trevor Simpson for owner/trainer Dennis Lee, RUN PAPA RUN powered home by 2 1/4 lengths from the fast-finishing 7-2 chance GOOD TO GO who had 5 3/4 lengths to spare over the previously unbeaten LOCHNESS DRAGON (5-2) in third. The race was contested by 12 native bred three-year-olds.
'PAPA' provided Simpson with his third Governor's Cup win following back to back success with RESTLESS GLEN and SEALED ORDER, both for trainer Billy Williams, in 1991 and 1992. However, this was the first big race win for trainer Lee since the days of his noted 'A1' campaigner FLASHPOINT who won a string of trophy races in the early 80s with the late Al Gopie in the saddle.
Despite this, Lee has been getting among the winners this season and completed a quick double on Saturday when the even-money favourite DR. RSF, racing in his familiar silks (red and yellow stars), romped the closing race with Simpson astride, the 6-y-o horse also going post to post.
DR. RSF marked Lee's sixth win of the season and by virtue of his Lotto Classic windfall, has moved up rapidly in the trainers' standings, holding down 11th position in the standings with $2.5 million in stakes.
The quiet, easy-going trainer took things in stride after RUN PAPA RUN spread-eagled the opposition, allowing his wife, Fay, and his brother, Robert, to seize the moment during the presentation. He even declined a live interview on TV.
However, he took time out to talk to this reporter. When asked how confident he was going into the race he had this to say:
"I was over-confident. That's how confident I was", he declared with a smile.
"You see, I never really trained him extensively before this race. When Simpson told me after winning with him early last month that this was the horse he wanted to ride in the Governor's Cup, that only made me realise that I had a winner on my hands.
"I wasn't concerned about the distance like some people. The horse is bred to get a distance of ground and I knew if he was properly rated from in front, they would have their work cut out to catch him", said the 53-year-old trainer who early in his career not only trained the consistent FLASHPOINT, but horses such as SUPERMAN, MOMENTUM and RESISTANCE as well.
Significantly, RUN PAPA RUN is bred by reigning champion Henry W. Jaghai who is enjoying a marvellous season, thanks to classic wins with the filly LATONIA in the Track Price Plus 1000 Guineas and Courts Jamaica Oaks. Also significant is the fact that the first two past the post in the Lotto Classic were sired by Footloose, not to mention the fourth horse BATTLEOX.
'PAPA' will now be prepared for the June 12 Red Stripe Derby in which he will come face to face with the brilliant unbeaten DISTINCTLY IRISH. As far as Lee is concerned, that's another bridge to cross when the time comes.
