Are You Kidding Me in top form for Nijinsky Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes winner Are You Kidding Me will look to continue his strong start to the season when he gets back on turf for Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Nijinsky Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on the Woodbine turf course.
Are You Kidding Me has made two starts this season, finishing third in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on grass at Golden Gate Fields in April before returning to Woodbine to win the Eclipse Stakes on Polytrack with an off-the-pace rally June 7.
Trainer Roger Attfield said having throat surgery this year has helped Are You Kidding Me.
“His wind wasn’t very good, so we played around with that and gave him a little help,” he said. “Neil Drysdale looked after the horse [in California] and did a great job when he was third. If everything stays right, he’ll be a major contender here among the older horses, for sure.”
Also on the Sunday card is the $125,000 Duchess Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies.
KEY CONTENDERS
NIJINSKY STAKES (RACE 8)
Are You Kidding Me (Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-76)
◗ Has made just two starts on turf since his 3-year-old season in 2013, but that year he finished second in the Toronto Cup at Woodbine and won the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park, both at 1 1/8 miles.
Lucky Speed (North American debut)
◗ Will be making his North American debut and will add Lasix, but his fitness could be a question mark. He’ll be making his first start since September, when he was a distant ninth in a Group 1 event at Baden-Baden.
◗ Lucky Speed was a Group 1 winner in Germany as a 3-year-old in 2013.
Interpol (Last 3 Beyers: 87-83-84)
◗ Will face graded-stakes company for the first time but has won three of his last four starts, including a 3 1/4-length victory at this distance in his most recent start June 21.
DUCHESS STAKES (RACE 6)
America Mon Amie (Last 3 Beyers: 84-74-64)
◗ Ships in for the Duchess off back-to-back wins over a mile on turf.
◗ She’s never raced on Polytrack but does come into this race off two quick works over the surface at Arlington Park.
Pohdi Pohdi (Last 3 Beyers: 70-70-74)
◗ Returns to action just eight days after winning the Passing Mood Stakes against Ontario-sired competition at this distance on turf.
Roaming (Last 3 Beyers: 72-69-74)
◗ She’s hit the board in all three starts this year and finished second to Mississippi Delta in the Glorious Song Stakes last November at this distance on the Woodbine Polytrack.