Excaper carrying lighter load in King Edward Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Excaper will be looking to build off his fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup on May 30 when he takes on six rivals in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 King Edward Stakes over a mile on turf at Woodbine.
Excaper dueled on the lead early in the Connaught Cup and eventually gave way to Lockout in the final strides. Excaper carried the top weight in the field, and trainer Ian Black said that might have played a part in the outcome. Excaper will carry 117 pounds in the King Edward Stakes.
“He came out of the [Connaught Cup] fine, and he’s been training fine,” Black said. “The thing that people never really notice in North America as opposed to Europe is the weight. We gave the winner five pounds and the other two horses four pounds. We carried 122 pounds that day, and we get a little bit of a break this week, which is good.”
The weather could decide whether Excaper stays in the field. Heading into Friday’s card, Woodbine had been off the turf since June 7, with the exception of last Sunday’s Alywow Stakes, which was run over a yielding turf course. With more rain expected over the weekend, the race could be moved from turf to the Polytrack main track and contested at 1 1/16 miles.
“My biggest concern at the moment is the weather forecast,” Black said. “It depends on how much rain we get because I really wouldn’t want to run him in a bog. I would think about scratching [if the race came off the turf]. Four years ago was the last time he ran on the Polytrack, I think.”
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KEY CONTENDERS
Excaper (Last 3 Beyers: 92-84-92)
◗ If Excaper remains in the field, he would be reunited with jockey Justin Stein, who rode Excaper to his most recent victory in last season’s Connaught Cup.
◗ The outside draw should benefit Excaper, who possesses tactical speed.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Excaper. Trainer Ian Black is an unlucky 35-3-12-2 with a $0.54 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route on turf at Woodbine. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Conquest Top Gun (Last 3 Beyers: 85-88-86)
◗ Conquest Top Gun broke in the air in the Connaught Cup and was never a threat to the leaders while finishing fifth but could bounce back in this spot, especially if this race comes off the turf.
◗ He could be a pace player but might be better suited sitting just off the leaders.
Tower of Texas (Last 3 Beyers: 86-83-2)
◗ Tower of Texas would be making his first start on turf but has shown a quick turn of foot in the stretch in his first two races of the year in Polytrack sprints.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Eirigh. Trainer Nicholas Gonzalez is 43-8-3-5 with a $7.50 ROI over the past five years going synthetic to turf in routes at Woodbine. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan