Yaupon’s Papa Ken a game winner in career debut
June 28, 2025
Papa Ken became the second winner for First-Crop sire Yaupon on June 28 in the first race at Churchill Downs with a hard-fought victory in a five-furlong maiden special weight affair for 2-year-olds.
Yaupon’s first winner, Sassy C W, has gone on to win the Astoria S. at Saratoga. She is entered in the Prairie Gold Lassie S. on July 4th, while another Yaupon juvenile, Bay Yaupon, is entered in the Schuylerville S. on the same day at Saratoga.
Papa Ken was away from the gate in third and held that spot until entering the turn, when started to apply pressure on pacesetter Spirit of Royal. The early leader re-broke at the top of the stretch and had a two-length lead with a furlong to go. Papa Ken found his best stride soon after, running down Spirit of Royal and holding off The Standard to win by a neck in a three-way photo.
Papa Ken is trained by Steve Asmussen for Ken T. Reimer, who purchased the dark bay for $160,000 at the 2025 OBS Spring 2-year-old sale. The winner was bred by Brad and Misty Grady.