Vicar's in Trouble, a romping 6 3/4-length winner of the Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 18, is to remain in at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots for his next start.
"Well, he's staying on this circuit for now, so we'll probably be taking a look at the next one," said Joe Sharp, assistant to trainer Mike Maker, in reference to the Feb. 22 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II).
Maker trains Vicar's in Trouble for Ken and Sarah Ramsey. The dark bay Louisiana-bred colt by Into Mischief turned in a terrific performance in his first stakes try following a maiden victory at Fair Grounds Dec. 14. It certainly caught the attention of an admiring Larry Jones, who saddled the Lecomte runner-up, Albano.
"That horse can really run," Jones said Jan. 19. "Where did they find him? I thought we were in pretty good position with Albano at the top of the stretch and then that winner just drew off."
Vicar's in Trouble was an $80,000 buy at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale last May when consigned by Pike Racing. Bred by Spendthrift Farm, he originally sold for $8,000 to Clyde Taylor at the 2012 Equine Sales of Louisiana Yearling Sale when consigned by Spendthrift and Mark Toothaker.
He is the first stakes winner out of the winning Vicar mare Vibrant, who has produced three winners from four starters. After debuting with a third against maidens at Keeneland last October, Vicar's in Trouble has won two of three starts while earning $148,900.
Sharp, husband of winning rider Rosie Napravnik and the man chiefly responsible for handling Vicar's in Trouble this winter, did not seem all that surprised Sunday morning when accepting congratulations outside the racing office.
"He's shown us a little ability since the day he came to us," said Sharp. "He's what I would call a pretty pliable horse and I wasn't really surprised when he ran as well as he did."
Sharp said Vicar's in Trouble was not taxed by his effort in the mile and 70-yard Lecomte, which was timed in 1:42.57.
"So far he seems to be getting along just fine," said Sharp. "In fact he tried to eat me this morning."