Tejano Twist Romps at Keeneland For Practical Joke

Practical Joke’s consistent son Tejano Twist (2g Practical Joke x Haley’s Lolipop, by Cuvee) recorded his fifth top two finish in seven starts on Friday when the gelding won a Keeneland Allowance Optional Claiming race by an easy 7 ¼ lengths.

The 6 ½ furlong dirt sprint saw Tejano Twist biding his time in midpack on the rail. It looked like the juvenile would have to settle for another second at the top of the stretch but the race changed as soon as a hole big enough for him to shoot through opened. As they galloped into the final furlong, Tejano Twist was making it clear he was about to win easy as he pleased.

Joe Rocco Jr. let his mount gallop home at his own speed with only the top three in the field within 12 ½ lengths of him at the end.

Bred and owned by Tom Durant, the dual stakes-placed Bret Calhoun trainee is one of two stake performers out of the Grade III-placed Haley’s Lolipop, who is also the dam of stakes winner Game Day Play.

Haley’s Lolipop is a half-sister to the Grade III winner Maddalena, who is also the dam of Grade II winner Bern Identity and Turkish champion Agresivo among five stakes performers. The runner up in two stakes in the past two months, Tejano Twist is one of 14 stakes performers under his first three dams.

One of the top freshman sires in the nation, Practical Joke is also a leading juvenile sire among all North American stallions with five stakes performers and two stakes winners led by Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Wit.