Are You Kidding Me converts perfect trip into Nijinski victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Are You Kidding Me solidified his position as Woodbine’s leading older runner with a victory over a quality field in Sunday’s Grade 2, $209,600 Nijinsky Stakes.

Are You Kidding Me had an ideal stalking trip near a moderate pace in the nine-furlong route. He took control in midstretch and held off a charging Golden Sabre to prevail by a half-length in 1:46.69 over firm turf.

A troubled Za Approval rallied wide to nose out the German invader Lucky Speed for third in a field reduced to nine after the scratch of His Race to Win.

Alan Garcia got a leg up from trainer Roger Attfield on Are You Kidding Me, who was coming off a Polytrack score in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes.

“I was very confident,” said Garcia. “He’d been training super in the morning, working very great. I only needed a trip. He did spectacular today. He broke good, and I saw two horses go to the lead. I took my time because I knew he was going to come with a big run, and he did.”

Are You Kidding Me returned $7.20 as the favorite and earned $120,000 for owners Ronald Kirk, John Bates, and Michael Riordan.

“He’s a really nice horse. He always has been,” said Attfield. “He’s had some problems with his wind. He’s had some fairly significant [throat] surgeries. I didn’t think they could beat him. The only thing I was concerned about was they said it was supposed to be the hottest, most humid day of the summer. We obviously have [his breathing problems] corrected very well.”