Breeding operation Pond-A-Acres has had a great start to the racing season in 2021, seeing several of their horses carrying their name to the winner’s circle. Although his name was changed Tug and Coop becomes the latest on the long list for Ponda Acres as a winner this season in Indiana.
Tug and Coop becomes the latest foal by Dover Dan to earn a record from the first crop of the new Indiana sire. Sam Widger guided the freshman to victory. Photo by Dean Gillette
Driven by Sam Widger, Tug and Coop went straight to the lead at the start and had open lengths between him and the remainder of the field through fractions of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.4. He held his ground in the stretch, trotting home well in hand in :29.3 for the win in 1:57.2, his first career win in only his second start. DJ Dan and Michael Oosting finished second over Starlit Dandy and Mike Hollenback for third. Three of the top four finishers are by first crop sire Dover Dan, including the winner, Tug and Coop.
Tug and Coop paid $7.60 for his efforts in the race. He is trained by Jeff Cullipher and owned by Pollack Racing LLC and Cullipher. He was purchased out of the Pond-A-Acres consignment at the Hoosier Classic Yearling sale last fall for $65,000, the top seller from the first crop of Dover Dan. Originally named Ponda Gonzalez, his current connections changed his name to Tug and Coop.
Tug and Coop was one of 61 yearlings sold from the first crop of Dover Dan, who is by Andover Hall and from the great race mare CR Kay Suzie. Of the 61 sold, 41 have made a start this season with six taking records under the 2:00 time barrier.
Dover Dan’s foals have already earned in excess of $1 million with 27 of his foals winning a race in 2021. Yo Mister leads the list with the most earnings thus far while Dover in Motion has earned the quickest record of 1:56.3 taken at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Tug and Coop is now the third fastest Dover Dan foal on record behind Dover in Motion and Callmesue, the fastest filly with a mark of 1:56.4.