Are You Kidding Me takes easy victory in Durham Cup
ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Are You Kidding Me parlayed an ideal stalking trip into a comfortable score under Alan Garcia in the $162,000 Durham Cup at Woodbine on Saturday, giving trainer Roger Attfield his seventh win in the Grade 3 stakes.
Are You Kidding Me ($3) raced on the outside in third through the far turn, while Decision Day and Nipigon vied through moderate fractions in the nine-furlong route.
Are You Kidding Me made a three-bid to the lead exiting far turn, and then edged away to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths over 9-1 outsider Freitag. Up With the Birds rallied from last in the five-horse field to finish third, as Decision Day and Nipigon tired in the stretch.
“The trip was perfect,” Garcia said. “I was so happy to be behind the speed. He was so comfortable. I was waiting to let him run turning for home. He’s an amazing horse. I can put him wherever I want. I’m so happy to ride him.”
Are You Kidding Me, a son of Run Away and Hide, earned $90,000 for owners Michael Riordan, Ronald Kirk, and John Bates.