Practical Joke’s Tejano Twist Winner of Lively Shively Stakes

Already a multiple stakes placed runner for his sire, Tom Durant homebred Tejano Twist (2g Practical Joke x Haley’s Lolipop, by Cuvee) became Practical Joke’s fourth stakes winner on Saturday in the Lively Shively Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Making his eighth career start, Tejano Twist was happy to split the field when racing in fourth four much of the 6 ½ furlong race five lengths behind the leader. It wasn’t until inside the final furlong that Tejano Twist showed his best looming up alongside Barber Road.

In the shadow of the wire, the Bret Calhoun trainee put half a length on the former leader to take his record to three top two finishes in stakes in three stakes attempts. Overall, the Practical Joke son has finished in the top two in six of eight stats.

Tejano Twist is the second stakes winner for Grade III-placed Haley’s Lolipop alongside Game Day Plan. Haley’s Lolipop is also a half-sister to Grade III winner Maddalena, who produced Grade II winner Bern Identity and four other stakes placed runners, and two other stakes-placed horses.

Practical Joke’s four stakes winners is the second best of any freshman sire with his five stakes performers also the third best. His runners are led by Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Wit.