Caleb’s Posse,
the only 3-year-old male to win two Grade 1 races in 2011, will begin his 2012
campaign with a start in the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap run over six
furlongs on the inner track at Aqueduct Racetrack on Gotham Day, Saturday,
March 3, according to trainer Donnie Von Hemel.
“Right now our plan is to run in the Tom Fool,” said Von
Hemel, who trains Caleb’s Posse for McNeil Stables and Cheyenne Stables.
“It is a good chance to get him acclimated with Aqueduct and also
provides great timing to the Carter [Grade 1, Aqueduct, $400,000, seven furlongs,
Saturday, April 7]. The enhanced purses [at Aqueduct] certainly get
everyone’s attention and is a factor in any decision that we make.”
The bay Posse colt was a brilliant performer during the 2011 Saratoga
Race Course meet, following up a dominant four-length victory in the Grade 2
Amsterdam with an electrifying stretch rally to defeat Eclipse champion Uncle Mo
by a nose in the Grade 1 Foxwoods King’s Bishop on Travers Day.
Caleb’s Posse closed out his stellar year with a four-length
triumph over Preakness winner Shackleford in the Grade 1, Breeders’ Cup
Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs.
The colt has posted four registered workouts in 2012, including a four-furlong
bullet at Oaklawn
Park on February 5.
“He has been doing great,” Von Hemel said. “If
everything goes well in his next few starts, the Met Mile [at Belmont Park
on Monday, May 28] is a goal of ours.”