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Saratoga: Candyman Wins by Seven Lengths August 13, 2008 
Capt. Candyman Can gave us all sweet dreams today as he trounced a field of top two year olds in his first career start on Saratoga’s main track.
Jockey Julien Leparoux kept the son of Candy Ride four lengths off the hot pace set by Grizzly Peak and Celestial Diamond, closed on those two near the quarter pole, swung out when blocked, and sprinted to the lead in mid stretch, drawing off to win in a hand ride by 7 ¼ lengths. The bay gelding completed the 5 ½ furlongs just two ticks off the track record, in fractions of :21.57, :45.06, :57.28, and 1:03.56.
Owned by Joseph Rauch and David Zell, Capt. Candyman Can is trained by Ian Wilkes, who was overjoyed at the juvenile’s success.
“I knew he was a nice horse, and he’s shown talent in the mornings, but we didn’t expect to see this,” Ian commented after the race. “Honestly, he was here for the experience, and just gave us a great effort.”
It seems the bettors were as surprised as anyone, as they let Capt. Candyman Can
go at 19 to 1.
Capt. Candyman Can was bred by Lantern Hill Farm LLC, Joseph Rauch and David Zell, and offered as hip 2816 in our 2007 Keeneland September Yearling consignment. He is the second foal from by Explosive Red Stakes winner Stormy Way (Storm Creek-Sabal Way, by Proud Appeal).
“He was one of our most popular yearlings,” Suzi said about the strongly made bay colt, which was hammered down for only $25,000. “He had a huge hip, great walk, and wonderful attitude. Some top horsemen vetted him, but he had a marginal throat according to some reports. My partners, Dr. Joe Rauch and Dave Zell bought out my share so they could race him.”
The oft told tale of the sales yearling that didn’t pass with sales vets but has proven his worth on the track just gained a new chapter. In the case of Capt. Candyman Can, who hasn’t had any throat surgery since the sale, his throat was recently termed “beautiful.”
Stormy Way has a Purge colt at her side, and is pregnant to Closing Argument for 2009.
Photo credit: Adam Coglianese
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