Baker's duo looks tough in Grey

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Reade Baker should be loaded for bear in Sunday’s $225,000 Grey Stakes at Woodbine, when he runs Bear’s Future and Rockin Heat in the 1 1/16-mile route for 2-year-olds.

Bear’s Future won both of his races convincingly over seven furlongs, including the Sept. 12 Swynford Stakes, for which he got a Beyer Speed Figure of 75.

Baker is confident that Bear’s Future, a son of Rockport Harbor, will handle two turns.

“He acts like it would probably be better for him,” said Baker. “He’s bred that way too. He’s very laid-back.”

Rockin Heat finished second in each of his three outings, the first two of which came against maidens. He was beaten just a length by shipper Pluck most recently going a mile on turf in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him,” said Baker. “He’s a great big horse, who wants to not have anybody in his way. He can’t change gears. He hesitated when it got a little crowded in the Summer, and when they kicked away, they got away on him a couple of lengths. Then, he had to send him to get back up there. It was counter-productive, in the end.”

Trainer Mark Casse entered Blue Laser and Withdrawal in the Grade 3 Grey, which has no couplings.

Blue Laser was along for third in his debut on the grass, and then won his maiden over a mile and 70 yards on the Polytrack, while defeating Rockin Heat.

“He was a little laid-back in his first race,” said Casse. “He ran well, but we thought that he had trained better on the Polytrack. He was really game when he fought off Rockin Heat. It was impressive.”

Withdrawal was beaten 9 1/2 lengths while missing the board in each of his first two starts, both in restricted stakes in July. He earned his diploma over a mile and 70 yards is his last outing.

“He’d trained decently, which is why I ran him in stakes, but the problem with him is he wanted a little more ground,” said Casse. “I really liked him the day he won.”

Classic Legacy won both of his races over six furlongs, including a fast allowance, for which he earned an 87 Beyer. A son of Macho Uno trained by Bob Tiller, he possesses sufficient stamina in his pedigree for the task at hand.