Are You Kidding Me seeks three-peat in Eclipse Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The popular Are You Kidding Me, trainer Roger Attfield’s stable star, will try to win the $175,000 Eclipse Stakes for the third year in a row Saturday at Woodbine.

Are You Kidding Me was voted the Sovereign Award for the champion older male runner in Canada in each of the past two years. In 2016, he won the Grade 2 Autumn and the Grade 3 Durham Cup to go along with his daylight score over Breaking Lucky in the Grade 2 Eclipse.

Assistant trainer Allyson Walker, who gallops Are You Kidding Me, said the 7-year-old is back in peak form after taking the allowance prep for the Eclipse on April 29 with a 95 Beyer Speed Figure following a five-month layoff.

“He didn’t have the winter off for any particular reason other than to give him time,” Walker said. “In the race, it looked like he needed one, but he still won it in his regular fashion. Since then, he’s just as good as ever. He came out of it awesome. He’s just a hard-knocking old horse. He’s pretty cool. I tell everybody he’s my boyfriend.”

Eight others were entered in the Eclipse, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta as race 7.

KEY CONTENDERS

Are You Kidding Me, by Run Away and Hide

Last 3 Beyers: 95-83-96

◗ After working five-eighths in 1:02 on May 9, he breezed the same distance in a bullet 1:00.20 on Tuesday.

“He had a great work [Tuesday],” Walker said. “He did it so easy.”

Unbridled Juan, by Unbridled’s Song

Last 3 Beyers: 90-94-99

◗ After lacking a clear path in the stretch in the Eclipse prep, he wound up third in his first start for trainer Josie Carroll. The Stronach Stable runner was previously a productive dirt runner for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

Go Around, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 88-91-93

◗ Based at Saratoga with trainer Bill Mott, the front-runner is racing on a surface other than turf for the first time in his career after finishing second to World Approval in the restricted Turf Classic at Tampa Bay Downs.

Eirigh, by More Than Ready

Last 3 Beyers: 81-87-97

◗ He won four of 11 Polytrack starts during his formative years. The best of his three races this year, all on turf for trainer Todd Pletcher, was a victory in a $100,000 optional claimer at Tampa.

Dragon Bay, by Parading

Last 3 Beyers: 87-84-96

◗ The grass specialist ran effectively on the Tapeta last spring, winning an allowance after getting beaten a neck in both the Grade 3 Marine and Wando stakes.