Aye Aye Captain seeks first 3-year-old win in Vice Regent
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Aye Aye Captain has had a productive 3-year-old campaign, but will still be seeking his first victory this year in Sunday’s $125,000 Vice Regent Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds over one mile on turf at Woodbine.
Aye Aye Captain has recorded three runner-up finishes in five starts this year, including in his last two races. Aside from his fifth in the Plate Trial Stakes on June 12, Aye Aye Captain has finished within two lengths of the winner in his starts this year.
“He’s run well,” trainer Catherine Day Phillips said. “He’s run hard. He’s been close to having a great season. Hopefully, he can finish up strongly and make it a good, strong year.”
With plenty of rain in the forecast leading up to Sunday’s race, there’s a chance it may be taken off the grass and run on the Tapeta. Aye Aye Captain has run well on both surfaces.
“It would be nice to get a decent turf,” she said.
Soft turf, she added, “would be a new element for everybody if that’s what it ends up being.”
“He runs well on the synthetic, so I’m happy if it’s on the synthetic, but I just hope it’s a safe track either way,” she said.
Vice Regent Stakes, Race 8
Key Contenders
Aye Aye Captain, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 81-73-72
◗ Aye Aye Captain’s Beyer Speed Figures have improved with the addition of blinkers in his last two starts, and he matched his career-best 81 Beyer on the grass Aug. 27. Day Phillips said she feels the blinkers help Aye Aye Captain focus in his races.
Thor’s Rocket, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 84-81-74
◗ He’ll be stretching out to a mile after recording the best last-out Beyer in the field while facing open allowance company in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint on turf Sept. 11.
That’s a Stretch, by Exhi
Last 3 Beyers: 80-79-71
◗ His form has improved since getting on the turf for his last two starts. He finished fourth, a length behind Thor’s Rocket, in that allowance race Sept. 11.
Mozart Melody, by Rebellion
Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-52
◗ He’ll step up to stakes company straight off his maiden win, which came over 1 1/16 miles on turf Sept. 11.
Pure Purity, by Perfect Soul
Last 3 Beyers: 71-77-77
◗ The filly has been supplemented into this field to face the boys.
◗ She earned a 77 Beyer in her lone turf try, when she was third in the La Prevoyante Stakes two starts back.