Amis Gizmo makes turf debut in Breeders' Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Prince of Wales Stakes winner Amis Gizmo asserted himself as one of Canada’s top 3-year-olds in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown and will look to enhance his résumé in Sunday’s final leg at Woodbine, the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf.
After losing the lead to Sir Dudley Digges in deep stretch in the Queen’s Plate on July 3, Amis Gizmo bounced back with a dominant 5 1/2-length victory on dirt at Fort Erie on July 26. Trainer Josie Carroll said she has been very happy with how Amis Gizmo has come out of the Prince of Wales.
“He’s done really well,” she said. “He’s come out of the race extremely well.”
Amis Gizmo recorded his final work ahead of the Breeders’ Stakes last Sunday on the Tapeta, covering five furlongs in 1:01.40 under jockey Luis Contreras. Carroll said she would have preferred to breeze Amis Gizmo on Woodbine’s turf training track, but heavy rain last Saturday forced the cancellation of Sunday’s turf training.
“He breezed well,” she said. “I was a little disappointed because I did want to get him up on the grass to breeze, but the rain made that a no-go.”
Amis Gizmo and Leavem in Malibu are the only horses in the 11-horse field who have never raced on turf; they will also be two of the three horses to have competed in all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown this year, joining Sir Dudley Digges.
Breeders’ Stakes, Race 9
Key Contenders
Amis Gizmo, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-85
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Carroll has a 17 percent strike rate from 72 starters making their first start on turf. Just four of those starters made their turf debuts in non-graded stakes. The lone winner from that four-horse sample was Ami’s Holiday, who won the 2014 Breeders’ Stakes after running second to Lexie Lou in the Queen’s Plate that year.
Sir Dudley Digges, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 57-87-77
◗ The Queen’s Plate winner was a non-factor on dirt in the Prince of Wales, but turf could be his preferred surface since he won his maiden on grass with an 80 Beyer Speed Figure at Keeneland in April.
◗ Robby Albarado will take over in the irons for Julien Leparoux, who suffered a non-displaced fracture in his wrist in a spill at Saratoga on Aug. 7.
Conquest Daddyo, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 88-85-52
◗ He brings the best turf form into the Breeders’ Stakes after winning the Toronto Cup Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on July 24 with a strong late rally. Prior to that, he was a closing third in the Charlie Barley Stakes on July 3.
◗ Trainer Mark Casse said Conquest Daddyo should have no problem with the 1 1/2-mile trip.
“The distance won’t be an issue for him at all,” he said. “I think he’ll enjoy the added distance even more. He’s ready to roll, and all systems are go.”
Scholar Athlete, by Einstein
Last 3 Beyers: 83-84-69
◗ He’s run well in each of his last three starts on grass, including a maiden win at Belmont Park with a career-best 84 Beyer.
◗ His races on turf at Gulfstream Park over the winter included a 1 3/4-length defeat in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes, where he earned an 82 Beyer.
Leavem in Malibu, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-78
◗ He closed well from off the pace to finish second in the Prince of Wales after a sixth-place finish in the Queen’s Plate.
◗ He breezed five furlongs in 59.60 seconds on the turf training track Aug. 10.
