John Oxley and Breeze Easy LLC's Boppy O, a half-brother to graded-stakes winner Pappacap, graduated in style at Gulfstream Park Friday.
The long-striding son of Bolt d'Oro-Pappascat raced a few lengths behind a contested early pace before making a sweeping move into the stretch, where the Florida-bred colt wore down pacesetter Keanu and pulled away to a 1 1/2-length victory in Race 2, a five-furlong maiden special weight event for 2-year-olds.
Pappacap, a son of Gun Runner-Pappascat, broke his maiden at Gulfstream Park at first asking May 14 of last year before capturing the Grade 2 Best Pal at Del Mar in his next start. Most recently, he finished second in the G2 Pat Day Mile on the May 7 Kentucky Derby undercard.
Trainer Mark Casse trains both Pappacap and Boppy O, who was purchased for $190,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Rustlewood Farm Inc. bred both colts in Florida and campaigns Pappacap.
Boppy O ran five furlongs in :58.71 seconds under Edwin Gonzalez, who also was aboard for Pappacap's graduation last year.
“He always showed he had some talent. Pappacap was more forward than he is. This colt is going to appreciate more ground as the races get longer,” said Nick Tomlinson, Casse's assistant trainer. “In the mornings, we've been teaching him to be behind horses. He's never shown that he's the fastest from the gate. Edwin said that once he got his legs under him, he asked him to go and it was all over.”
Keanu held second, a neck in front of third-place finisher Big John.
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