Are You Kidding Me wins Eclipse Stakes for third time in last four years

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The favored veteran Are You Kidding Me won the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes for the third time in the past four years at Woodbine on Saturday.

Are You Kidding Me ($5.60) stalked in third along the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile route as Gigantic Breeze set slow fractions, with Hollywood Critic in close proximity. Are You Kidding Me made a two-wide bid to join Gigantic Breeze up front on the far turn and then put that rival away before holding off Melmich to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:43.14. Are You Kidding Me got an 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

Gigantic Breeze finished a clear third, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths, in his first run of the year. He was followed by Tizzarunner, Tiz a Slam, a very wide Sir Dudley Digges, and a tired Hollywood Critic.

Rafael Hernandez got a leg up from trainer Roger Attfield on Are You Kidding Me, a two-time Canadian champion who was a troubled second in last year’s Eclipse.

“We got a good trip,” said Hernandez. “On the first turn, we saved ground. The main thing was to get my horse clear. I had to make a move early to get a clear trip. He switched leads and stretched his legs turning for home. He ran unbelievable.”

Are You Kidding Me, an 8-year-old son of Run Away and Hide, earned $105,000 of the $179,900 purse for the partnership of Michael Riordan, Ronald Kirk, and John Bates.