Are You Kidding Me wins Eclipse with furious late rally

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Are You Kidding Me mowed down the 2013 Queen’s Plate winner Midnight Aria in the final sixteenth to take the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

Midnight Aria set moderate fractions in the 1 1/16-mile route, while being pressed by Za Approval, the somewhat surprising 8-5 favorite. Are You Kidding Me saved ground in third until the head of the stretch, then mounted a powerful wide bid to prevail by a 1 1/2 lengths in a quick 1:42.76 seconds.

Za Approval faded to third in a field reduced to five with the scratch of Florida Won.

Alan Garcia rode Are You Kidding Me for trainer Roger Attfield, who sent the 5-year-old to California for the winter, where he ran third in a Grade 3 San Francisco Handicap at Golden Gate.

“He was very comfortable, relaxed behind the speed,” Garcia said. “When it was time to go, I said, “Are you kidding me? He’s going to win.’ He did an impressive job.”

Are You Kidding Me ($9.50) earned $120,000 of the $201,200 purse for owners Ronald Kirk, John Bates, and Michael Riordan.