General Quarters Appears While Papa Clem Climbs

GQ Captured the Blue Grass and PC Shoots to No. 5 In Earnings

Apr 14, 2009 BarbaraAnne Helberg

General Quarters qualified his 75-year-old owner-trainer for a Kentucky Derby for the first time. Papa Clem bided his time before gliding into No. 5 in money and rank.

A field of ten opponents watched General Quarters jump to attention in the stretch of the Blue Grass Stakes, a $750,000 grade 1 stakes race April 11 on the final Kentucky Derby major prep weekend. Only the Coolmore Lexington Stakes remains as a graded stakes for Thoroughbreds attempting to gain eligibility for the Run for the Roses scheduled for May 2.

Papa Clem Also Climbs Aboard

Papa Clem used the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park to gain Kentucky Derby entrance, winning the $1 million race in 1:49.01 by a half length over Old Fashioned, who sustained a career-threatening injury.

Connections said Old Fashioned came out of the Arkansas with a slab fracture in his right knee. It is doubtful the Larry Jones-trained colt could recover from the injury to return to high level racing, according to attending veterinarians. A decision on the colt's future will be made after corrective surgery is performed.

General Quarters Wins Derby Entry

General Quarters, winner of the February 14 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, rated professionally in the Blue Grass and should be expected to do well in the Derby, reported his jockey, Eibar Coa.

Owner-trainer Thomas McCarthy is a retired Louisville school teacher and high school principal, a prostate cancer survivor, and a fifty-year veteran of Thoroughbred racing. General Quarters is the only horse McCarthy owns and trains, and the pair are headed to the Kentucky Derby as McCarthy's first ever entry in America's favorite race.

McCarthy took charge of General Quarters from the colt's maiden debut, claiming him from initial owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey for $20,000.

There is always a "most endearing" story on Kentucky Derby day, and McCarthy and General Quarters will likely fit that scenario as they emerge at Churchill Downs for the Run for the Roses.

Coa said General Quarters' Blue Grass win was well performed. The dark grey colt went the distance of 1-1/8 miles untroubled, laying in mid-pack in fifth position early and jettisoning to the lead at the 3/16 pole. GQ went the 1-1/2 length victory in 1:49.26.

General Quarters hiked his graded stakes earnings to $595,645, good for eighth place. He has won three contests from eleven starts and also has placed three times, while showing once.

The Blue Grass favorite, Mafaaz, had won the inaugural Win-and-You're-In race in England named the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes. He finished fourth in the Blue Grass. Hold Me Back, winner of the March 21 Lane's End Stakes, used a wide trip under jockey Kent Desormeaux to place. Massone went third.

Papa Clem Gains Kentucky Derby Votes

With his Arkansa victory, Papa Clem climbed to fifth position in season graded stakes earnings and in a Thoroughbred Times Poll for Kentucky Derby favorites.

Rafael Bejarano got the colt home for his second win in six career starts -- he also has two seconds -- after being challenged by Smarty Jones Stakes winner Flat Out, then Old Fashioned and Summer Bird, who went third.

Kentucky Derby hopeful Win Willy, victorious in the Rebel Stakes, finished fourth.

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