He's Not Grey tries to prove he's for real in WTBOA Lads

Trainer Candi Tollett did not want to run He’s Not Grey in the $49,500 Emerald Express at Emerald Downs on July 16. After all, he had never started before, and jockey Eswan Flores, who had been aboard for all his workouts, wasn’t available for the 5 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

However, she was overruled by owner John Parker.

Parker was proved right, but he may have questioned his decision when He’s Not Grey got shuffled back at the start and trailed the field early. Moving between horses, he reached contention on the turn, and under left-handed urging from Juan Gutierrez, the California-bred drew off in the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths.

He’s Not Grey can prove that his strong performance was no fluke in the $50,000 WTBOA Lads at Emerald Downs on Sunday. The six-furlong dash for 2-year-old colts and geldings drew 10 horses.

“We work as a team, and John really wanted to run him in the Express,” Tollett said. “After thinking about it, I couldn’t come up with any reason not to. He is a very nice horse, and I wasn’t surprised he ran so well. He also came out of the race in great shape.”

With Gutierrez injured, Flores will pick up the mount on He’s Not Grey from post 4.

“We’re disappointed for Juan,” Tollett said. “Eswan did all the work on him, so it is nice to see him get a chance to ride him.”

KEY CONTENDERS

He’s Not Grey, by Slew’s Tiznow
Beyer: 54

◗ Considering the slow beginning, that was an impressive performance in his debut. He also was pretty green, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take a big step forward with that experience behind him.

Winter Knight, by Harbor the Gold
Beyer: 37

◗ As a full brother to the multiple stakes winner Carabelle Harbor, he could have a bright future after romping in his debut for trainer Bonnie Jenne. He would look a lot more attractive if he wasn’t breaking from the rail, however.

Bullet Drill, by Coast Guard
Last 2 Beyers: 44-34

◗ Trained by Frank Lucarelli, he took a big step forward when he was the runner-up in the Express and shouldn’t mind having an extra sixteenth of a mile to work with.

◗ FORMULATOR FACT: The past five years at Emerald, Lucarelli has a 24 percent strike rate in 2-year-old stakes races.

Im Insatiable Too, by Abraaj
Beyer: 25

◗ He gets off the rail after finishing second in his debut behind Winter Knight and could improve for leading trainer Blaine Wright, who has solid stats with second-time starters.