BLOG: Have YOU heard of the 'Papal Pony'?

Who says “conclave” is no longer headline material. Old news, right? #Buzzer.

We’re talking about horse racing, not the process of selecting a pope. And, specifically, we’re talking about a horse named “Conclave,” who’s arguably having a more successful year than Pope Francis. 

In a way, this "Papal Pony" has been walking on water. The latest example goes back to last Monday at Turf Paradise, where Conclave raced to the lead and never looked back, posting a two-length victory as the 6-5 favorite. 

That makes it nine straight wins. In a winning streak that dates back to August of last year, Conclave has won nine races in a row in a winning streak that covers three different tracks and as many trainers.

But wait, it gets better. Because we’re talking about nine straight wins by a 9-year-old horse, which essentially translates to a 50-year-old ballplayer. 

And here’s the thing: no one really knows who named this horse Conclave, much less the origin of the name itself. Exhaustive research spanning various owners, trainers, and jockeys has come up empty. 

In other words, we must be talking divine intervention.