Jammin Still steps up to stakes company in Grey Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Jammin Still will look to build off his career-debut victory in Sunday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Grey Stakes over 1 1/16 miles for 2-year-olds on Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Jammin Still, who will be making his first stakes start, won his debut by 1 1/2 lengths under Alan Garcia in a one-mile turf race for trainer Kevin Attard and owner Derek Chin on Sept. 28. Attard said he was expecting the big effort from Jammin Still first time out.

“We thought pretty highly of him,” Attard said. “He was training well and has some good works. We saw the progression, and it looked to me that he was developing into a nice horse. Obviously, this is a tougher task, but I think he’s up for the challenge.”

Attard said Jammin Still has the demeanour of a talented horse and he is excited to see him develop.

“He’s a pretty laid-back horse and he’s got the right attitude to be a good horse,” he said. “He has that mental approach to be successful at a high level. I think he’s going to be pretty nice, and the fact he’s a Canadian-bred makes it a little more exciting.”

◗ Sunday’s card at Woodbine is called Grey Day as, along with the Grey Stakes, Woodbine also will run a starter handicap restricted to gray or roan horses. Macho Dancer figures to be the favorite for the one-mile turf event after recording wins in three of his last four starts. Leading rider Eurico Da Silva takes over for Simon Husbands.

Key Contenders

Jammin Still, by Take Charge Indy
Beyer: 69

◗ Jammin Still will be making his first start on Tapeta in the Grey Stakes, but the son of Take Charge Indy has previously worked over the track. He breezed five furlongs on the main track in 1:01.00 on Oct. 14 in preparation for this start.

◗ Attard said Jammin Still is among Chin’s best 2-year-olds, a group that includes stakes winner Blessed Two.

Nashtrick, by Hat Trick
Beyers: 72-68

◗ Following a dominant win over seven furlongs in his career debut Aug. 24, Nashtrick ran a strong third behind Fog of War and War of Will in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes in his most recent start Sept. 16.

◗ He’ll make his first start on Tapeta in the Grey Stakes and also will add blinkers and Lasix for this start.

Solidify, by Tapizar
Beyer: 70

◗ He’ll stretch out around two turns for the first time in the Grey Stakes, following a one-length victory in his career debut over 6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta on Sept. 23.

◗ According to DRF Formulator, trainer Reade Baker has a 26 percent strike rate with horses going from a sprint to a route over the past two years, an angle that has a return on investment of $4 on a $2 wager.

Sir Winston, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 62-39-39

◗ After beginning his career over the summer with sixth- and ninth-place finishes at Churchill Downs and Saratoga, respectively, Sir Winston made his first start on Tapeta a winning one Sept. 12, albeit it was a dead-heat victory.

◗ Trainer Mark Casse and jockey Jerome Lermyte have experienced success together over the last 90 days, combining for a 23 percent strike rate and a $3.01 ROI from 73 starters.