December 28, 2024 - Aqueduct, Race 1, USD $90,000, 7F
Dam: Pow Wow Wow , by Indian Charlie
Owner: St. Elias Stable
Breeder: Marylou Whitney Stables, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.
Captain Cook (c, 2, Practical Joke-Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie), an eventful sixth on debut for owner/breeder Marylou Whitney Stables and trainer Norm Casse at Churchill Downs Oct. 27, brought $410,000 from bloodstock agent Steve Young on behalf of St Elias Stable at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale (second-most expensive lot of the sale) and ran to the money as the 1-2 favorite for his new connections with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance in the slop at the Big A Saturday.
Captain Cook chased the early leader from second through fractions of :22.43 and :45.30, hit the front at the top of the stretch and opened daylight from there to graduate by a geared-down 9 1/4 lengths. Longshot Griffin's Wharf (Constitution) was up for second.
Captain Cook becomes the fourth 'Rising Star' for Practical Joke. He is the most recent produce out of the graded-placed Pow Wow Wow. His third dam is Whitney's 2003 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine and champion 3-year-old filly Bird Town. He hails from the extended female family of GI Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone.
Captain Cook was consigned to Keeneland November by Gainesway, agent for the Estate of John Hendrickson. Hendrickson, a philanthropist who was the husband of the late Marylou Whitney, died suddenly over the summer in Saratoga. The sale was topped by the 2-year-old filly Alyeska (Vekoma), an eye-catching, come-from-behind debut winner carrying the famed Whitney silks at Churchill Downs Sept. 20. She brought $675,000 from Young on behalf of an undisclosed client.
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