Repole Excited About Blame Jim

Mike Repole is excited about Blame Jim, who debuted a three-length winner on Saturday in a 5 ½-furlong maiden race, but the owner can't help but wonder what could have been if the juvenile hadn't been gelded.

Repole acquired the horse in utero when he purchased his dam, Tamboorensnshampan, in foal to Sharp Humor for $42,000 at the Heiligbrodt Racing Stable Dispersal sale. Repole said he bought her because she crosses well with Uncle Mo, the 2010 Champion Two-Year-Old he raced and who now stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

Tamboorensnshampan's foal was gelded as a yearling upon the advice of Jimmy Crupi of New Castle Farm in Ocala, Fla., with the final decision made by Jim Martin, Repole's racing manager.

Repole, however, didn't know the horse had been gelded until he was 2-years-old and training with Todd Pletcher.

"The horse gets to Todd, and he's training well," recalled Repole. "Todd told me he breezed only three eighths, but that he did it really well. He then asked me, 'Why was the horse gelded?' And I say, 'The horse isn't gelded.' So I call Jim Martin, and he tells me the horse isn't gelded."

Martin, however, didn't remember that the horse had been difficult to handle as a yearling and that Crupi had recommended having the procedure.

"Now all Todd has to do is text me 'Hahaha' and I know what he means," said Repole. "He sends me that after the horse has a good breeze. Todd and his staff are rooting for the horse because they want me to have a Kentucky Derby winner who is a gelding."

With the juvenile showing promise but unable to eventually stand at stud, Repole felt compelled to name him after Jim Martin, who led Blame Jim into the winner's circle on Saturday.

"[Martin] seemed to be happy," said Repole. "It's a good story, and we're going to have fun with it."