~ with files from Fort Erie Race Track Media
The 2021 edition of the Puss N Boots Cup was captured by a five-year-old chestnut gelding named Doctor Uptown for owner Robert Simonick, trainer Paula Loescher and jockey Omar Moreno.
The $30,000 Cup race contested over Fort Erie’s turf course is named after Puss N Boots, who veered off the track and took a dip in the infield pond during a race back in 1961. Although Puss N Boots didn’t complete the race, he undoubtedly set the tone for the winning connections of this popular 1 1/16 mile race named after him at the border oval.
While hesitant at first, both Moreno and Loescher kept the tradition alive by jumping into the infield pond, much to the glee of the by-standers watching on (see video below).
Loescher was all smiles after securing the win and was not short on words for what the win meant to her. “Actually, this is a very big win. I told my dad I would jump in the pond for him because he wanted to win it for years and – it’s just good.”
DOCTOR UPTOWN (Doctor Peach – Rosiesuptown, by Werblin) trailed the field early in the Puss n Boots before moving up wide around the final turn. The chestnut overtook pacesetter Be Vewy Vewy Quiet and then outfinished Dot’s Vision to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:45 1/5. The Florida bred (Sharon Biamonte) was 11 to 1 and was winning his second straight race in just his third start of 2021. The gedlign has won four of 12 races in his career.
A $15,000 purchase at the 2020 winter mixed sale in Ocala by Simonick, Doctor Uptown is by the winning Tiznow stallion Doctor Peach and is the third foal of the unraced mare Rosiesuptown. the mare’s first foal is OBS Sprint Stakes winner Danbury.
Omar Moreno had three wins on the Fort Erie card and doubled up on wins with Paula Loescher by taking the nightcap with American Driven.
The $30,000 Horsepeople’s Luminary Cup, the second feature race on the card was nabbed by Yes Please for owner Deborah Fletcher, trainer John Simms and jockey Jeffrey Alderson. Holding his son Chase in his arms, Alderson was more than pleased with his mount’s performance in the six-and-a-half-furlong endeavour over Fort Erie’s dirt course.
“I had a really good trip with Yes Please. Today, you had to be up close to the pace with the rain we got yesterday – but [sic] she ran a very good race, and I was happy that we got the win today.”
YES PLEASE, a 6-year-old mare by Yes It’s True – Rainbow Luck by Honour and Glory, was claimed by Fletcher and Simms for $12,500 on Aug. 10 when she had arrived from Woodbine. The Luminary Cup was her first win of 2021 and her 12th win overall from 28 starts.
There are 15 more racing days left on the Fort Erie racing calendar. The Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown will be run next week on Tuesday, September 14.
For more information on upcoming race days, please visit forterieracing.com
A stellar win for Doctor Uptown in the 2021 Puss N Boots Cup. Now, as tradition would have it the winning connections take a dip in the infield pond. This year’s brave souls – Doctor Uptown’s jockey Omar Moreno and trainer, Paula Loescher. #FortErieRaceTrack pic.twitter.com/JUxLTgdP1f
— Fort Erie Race Track (@Forterieracing) September 6, 2021
More from Horses:
