Paolucci Pulling Double Duty on West Virginia Derby Day

Owner Ron Paolucci once again is pulling double duty in West Virginia and upstate New York on the first Saturday in August, but the West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort isn't the focal point.

Paolucci, who operates Loooch Racing Stable, has entered the 8-year-old gelding Imperative, whom he co-owns with Imaginary Stables, in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3) Aug. 4. About eight hours away at Saratoga Race Course, the stable's Dalmore is scheduled to compete in the $1.2 million Whitney Stakes (G1).

Last year, Loooch Racing's Game Over finished a strong second to Colonelsdarktemper in the West Virginia Derby, and Paolucci, a native of nearby Akron, Ohio, was on hand. That same afternoon, the stable's War Story finished fourth in the Whitney. This year, Paolucci entered Dalmore, 30-1 on the morning line, in the Saratoga race.

The Governor's Stakes this year was granted grade 3 status, and Paolucci, who spent a lot of time at Mountaineer with his father when he was growing up, is expecting a good effort from $2.9 million earner Imperative, who won the $1.2 million Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2) in April 2017 before going on the shelf for an extended period of time.

Imperative, in his first start back June 30 of this year, finished fourth in the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. For the past month, he has been based at Thistledown near Cleveland with Jeff Radosevich, who trains many of Loooch Racing's runners.

"When he came back (to training), we gave him plenty of time, but after two works, he had a quarter crack," Paolucci said from Saratoga. "After being off that long, he didn't have a lot of punch at Monmouth, and he also stumbled at the start. We expect a lot more punch (Saturday). I looked at the field, and if not for his last race, he might be 3-5 in there."

Imperative is 6-1 on the morning line for the Governor's Stakes, which drew a field of nine. The 5-2 favorite is Stephan Smootand trainer Wesley Hawley's Hawaakom, who won the Governor's Stakes in 2016 and has competed almost exclusively in graded stakes this year.

Paolucci said the goal for Imperative is the Sept. 1 Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

"He's a nice horse," he said. "I think he'll move forward in the Governor's Cup, but he may need the race."

Paolucci, who was the second-leading owner by wins nationally last year with 160, caused a stir a few weeks ago when he told Daily Racing Form he planned to exit the Thoroughbred racing business because he's frustrated with the way it operates. He is a big proponent of the Ohio racing program but also competes in major stakes around the country, and because of his outspoken and humorous nature, he has won over his share of racing fans.

There appeared to be a softening of his stance in comments made on Twitter, but Paolucci said he hasn't changed his mind—not yet, anyway.

"I'm basically operating my business as usual, and then we'll see what happens after the Breeders' Cup (this fall)," he said. "One thing that did surprise me was the outpouring of support inside and outside of the business. It's an aggravating industry and it takes its toll on you, but then you get this huge wave of support. That makes you think maybe you made a mistake.

"But if you asked me today, I'd say it is 60/40% I quit—or at least I'll take a break from it."