Budding star Gigawatt in Display

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A potential Kentucky Derby prospect, Gigawatt, runs at Woodbine Saturday in the 1 1/16-mile Display Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Gigawatt, a handsome Wild Again colt, graduated by 17 lengths in his second start. Trainer Mark Casse didn't hesitate to run him back in the Grade 2 Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes on Oct. 6.

Gigawatt tracked the pace under Patrick Husbands in the 1 1/16-mile Grey, and seemed headed for victory at the top of the stretch, but favored Wando blew by him at the eighth pole, and went on to win by nearly three lengths.

Casse said he was shocked to see Wando overhaul Gigawatt as easily as he did.

"I was disappointed with the race," Casse admitted. "Patrick was disgusted with the way he rode him. He had Wando where he wanted him the entire race. The fractions were pretty slow, and Gigawatt made the lead like he was going to win easily, but Wando ran by him like he was standing still. After the race, Gigawatt galloped out in front of Wando.

"Gigawatt doesn't have a real quick turn of foot, but he has great endurance. What we should have done was run faster early, and make Wando come after us. Gigawatt is going to come out running this time, and if somebody wants to go with him, they can try it. I'm not saying that Gigawatt won't rate a little, but there won't be a slow pace."

Casse also trains unbeaten Added Edge, this year's probable Canadian champion 2-year-old. He has high expectations for both runners.

"I think Gigawatt and Added Edge are two of the best colts I've ever been around," Casse said. "Whether or not they'll progress, we'll have to see. One of the reasons I'm going to Gulfstream this winter is because I feel I have two Kentucky Derby contenders."

Also entered in the $135,625 Display are Tackling Stress, Vegas Venture, Chad's Hope, Whispered Warning, and General Ascot.

Whispered Warning was purchased privately from Casse after finishing third to Added Edge on Sept. 22 in the seven-furlong Swynford Stakes. He has since won a six-furlong allowance for trainer Abraham Katryan, but has yet to negotiate a route of ground.

Tackling Stress, trained by Dave Cotey, is exiting a fourth-place finish in the one-mile Dover Stakes at Delaware Oct. 26.

"He was running strong on end," Cotey said. "Both him and the winner galloped out 10 lengths in front of the field."

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