When Cot Campbell paid $240,000 for Raconteur
last spring, he knew that with his breeding, the chestnut son of A.P. Indy out
of the Storm Cat mare Miss Kate wasn’t going to be a precocious colt.
Saturday, he’s hoping that Raconteur will show that he is worthy of his
purchase price when he makes his stakes debut in the Gotham.
“We’re hoping he will run well, and we think he
will,” said Campbell
of the Dogwood Stable color-bearer, whose breeder, G. Watts Humphrey, retains a
25 percent interest. “The family has always been a late-developing
family. Plus, we know he likes the track here, and he doesn’t have to
travel.”
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Raconteur made his first appearance at
Saratoga Race Course last summer, finishing fifth in a 5 ½-furlong race won by
Vexor, who went on to annex the Grade 2 Nashua. He then posted a pair of
seconds and a pair of thirds, finally breaking through in his 2012 debut going
1 1/8 miles on the inner track. He made it 2-for-2 as a sophomore on February 3,
coming from just off the pace to win an optional claimer by three-quarters of a
length going one mile, 70 yards.
“He’s won his last two, but not in a sensational style that
gets everyone excited,” said Campbell.
“He does have a flashy pedigree, but he’s one of those earnest,
grind-it-out, hard-trying, uncomplicated horses.
“But for $400,000,” he added, “we hope he will grind
away effectively.”