Patricia's Hope LLC and Mark Farrar's Conagher dazzled fans Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs with a near track record performance when he scorched seven furlongs in 1:20.62 for his second consecutive allowance victory.
The budding star Conagher, a 3-year-old son of Jimmy Creed, was :0.18 off the Churchill Downs track record set by the brilliant Groupie Doll in 2012. Conagher was given a 106 Brisnet Speed Rating for his performance Friday.
Conagher has six starts under the care of Mike Tomlinson, who received the horse after trainer Robert McCutchen prepared for his debut. As a 2-year-old, Conagher broke his maiden over the turf at Colonial Downs and was away from the races seven months until he resurfaced in February at Gulfstream Park.
“Last year as a 2-year-old he had some minor ailments that we gave him the time to heal from,” Tomlinson said. “He's come back with a vengeance. We started him back on the grass at Gulfstream since that's the surface he broke his maiden on. This colt is now mentally mature and turned into an absolute dream around the barn.”
Conagher was bet down from his 7-2 morning line Friday and went off as the 8-5 post time favorite. He returned $5.20 under jockey Joe Rocco Jr. Conagher won his first start this season at Keeneland at a stout 73-1.
“Let's just say everyone in the barn did very well that day,” Tomlinson joked.
For Farrar and his wife, Dianna, the trip from Oklahoma for Friday's race paid off.
“It's great for all the partners involved in this horse. Mark has been involved in horse racing for 20 years and I'm tickled they are rewarded with a colt like this,” Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson reported Conagher, who was bred in Kentucky by La Bahia Stud from the Niagara Causeway mare You Should Be Here, came out of his race in great shape and was “playing” around the barn Saturday morning before he visited the equine spa.
There are no immediate plans for Conagher's next start.
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