Fearless Cowboy on the rise

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Fearless Cowboy has improved significantly with each subsequent start, and he should be a major player in Saturday's $150,000 Colin Stakes. The six-furlong race for 2-year-olds heads a 10-race Woodbine card that also includes the $100,000 Ontario Jockey Club, an overnight stakes that drew a quality field.

Fearless Cowboy, a homebred owned by Gulf Coast Farm, got away slowly before making up some ground to end up fifth in his two-furlong debut April 26. A month later, he graduated from just off the pace in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special, while registering a Beyer Speed Figure of 57.

Most recently in the five-furlong Victoria Stakes, Fearless Cowboy dueled through lively fractions before giving way to a closing Olredlgetcha. He finished a clear second, and was awarded a respectable Beyer Figure of 77.

Trainer Sandra Dominguez said Fearless Cowboy was much keener than she had anticipated in the Victoria, but still gave a good account of himself.

"He was on the lead, and that's not where we wanted him," Dominguez recalled. "He's had three workouts since his last race. Hopefully, this time, he won't be so sharp."

Dominguez said Fearless Cowboy has improved with experience, and she believes the stretchout to three-quarters won't be a problem for him. Slade Callaghan retains the mount on the chunky Kentucky-bred.

Who's Big Daddy is one of several rapid front-runners in the eight-horse field.

Who's Big Daddy rallied for second in his debut, and then won his maiden on the lead going 4 1/2 furlongs in Ontario-sired company. He wired Ontario-bred opposition two weeks ago in the 5 1/2-furlong Clarendon Stakes, while receiving a 74 Beyer.

Trainer Scott Fairlie said the addition of blinkers inspired Who's Big Daddy to turn on the jets second-time out.

"He's such a laid-back horse, and I knew the blinkers would wake him right up," Fairlie explained.

Who's Big Daddy is a full brother to the Fairlie-trained Cawaja Beach, an undefeated stakes-winning 2-year-old filly here last year.

"He's a little more short-coupled than his sister," Fairlie pointed out. "Cawaja Beach is a more rangy kind of filly, who should run on. He's built more like a sprinter."