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The Arkansas Derby winner began his career in California where he broke his maiden in his third attempt, and first at Santa Anita, then finished second to Pioneerof the Nile there in the Robert Lewis, losing by a half-length but outfinishing I Want Revenge by a length.
Rafael Bejarano, who rode the colt in his Santa Anita races, followed him to New Orleans where he ran second to Friesan Fire in the Louisiana Derby, and to Oaklawn Park, where he won the Arkansas Derby by a half-length over Old Fashioned with Summer Bird third.
Papa Clem, who is by Preakness winner Curlin’s sire, Smart Strike, was produced by Del Mar Debutante winner Miss Houdini. Magical Maiden, Papa Clem’s second dam, was a multiple Grade 1 winner.
| Video | Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/02/2009 | Kentucky Derby (Churchill Downs) | 1 1/4 Miles | 4th | |
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04/11/2009 | Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park) | 1 1/8 Mile | 1st |
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03/14/2009 | Louisiana Derby (Fair Grounds) | 1 1/16 Miles | 2nd |
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02/7/2009 | Robert B. Lewis (Santa Anita) | 1 1/16 Miles | 2nd |
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12/29/2008 | Maiden Special Weight (Santa Anita) | 1 Mile | 1st |
| 10/16/2008 | Maiden Special Weight (Hollywood Park) | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 5th | |
| 08/14/2008 | Maiden Special Weight (Hollywood Park) | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 6th |
RAFAEL BEJARANO
He began his American career in Kentucky, winning titles at Churchill, Keeneland, Turfway, Kentucky Downs and Ellis Park. Encouraged by a good meet at Gulfstream Park in 2006, he went to Southern California where he has become a dominant rider, reminiscent of the heydays of Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay.
Bejarano’s two Preakness mounts were a pair of Nick Ziti-trained entries: Sun King finished fourth in 2005 and Sir Shackleton finished sixth in 2004.
BO HIRSCH
The owner bred Papa Clem and named the colt in memory of his father, Clement Hirsch, who owned and bred horses in California for more than 40 years, and who helped establish the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita, until his death in 2000. Projects inside and outside racing benefit from the proceeds contributed by the not-for-profit Oak Tree meet. Clement Hirsch served as its first president in the fall of 1969.
GARY STUTE
The horse, owner and trainer each have strong racing pedigrees. Gary Stute is the 52-year-old nephew of Warren Stute, who trained one of Clement Hirsch’s finest horses, Figonero, and the son of Mel Stute, who trained Preakness winner and Eclipse champion Snow Chief, juvenile filly champion Brave Raj and sprint champion Very Subtle.
“Up until (Papa Clem won the Arkansas Derby), the Preakness (won by Snow Chief) was the happiest day of my life,” Stute said after the race in Oaklawn.
