Mr Havercamp back on Tapeta in Autumn Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Fresh off a sharp second on turf in the Woodbine Mile, Mr Havercamp will go back to the Tapeta among a solid field of nine in Saturday’s Grade 2, $175,000 Autumn Stakes at Woodbine.
Post time for the first of 11 races has been pushed back to 12:20 p.m. Eastern.
Mr Havercamp was a finalist for Canadian champion male 3-year-old honors in 2017, and he should be a Sovereign Award finalist again this year. His most notable victory came in the Grade 2 Play the King in August.
The Grade 1 Woodbine Mile has been a successful prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, but trainer Catherine Day Phillips said it would have been a pricey spot for him.
“He’s not Breeders’ Cup eligible,” Day Phillips said. “We felt at the time that if he was to win the Woodbine Mile, we would supplement him. With second, it gets a little bit costly.”
Eurico Da Silva will ride Mr Havercamp again in the 1 1/16-mile Autumn. He also has the mount on Gamble’s Ghost, who will try to win Saturday’s $125,000 Maple Leaf Stakes for the second year in a row.
KEY CONTENDERS
Mr Havercamp, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 100-98-98
◗ His two-turn form on Tapeta includes a decisive win in the restricted Steady Growth Stakes in his June 16 season opener.
Decorated Soldier, by Proud Citizen
Last 3 Beyers: 94-94-93
◗ Off back-to-back stakes scores in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup and Presque Isle Downs Mile, he looks best among the three Norm McKnight-trained entrants. A bargain $20,000 claim last April at Oaklawn, the 5-year-old is entered in the Keeneland November sale, and another triumph would enhance his value.
Are You Kidding Me, by Run Away and Hide
Last 3 Beyers: 83-92-96
◗ The two-time Canadian champion has been freshened since a subpar fourth in the Aug. 12 Seagram Cup. He won the Autumn in 2015-16.
Lookin for Eight, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 91-85-85
◗ He helped to set soft fractions last time en route to a 12-1 upset in the Grade 3 Durham Cup.
Lookin to Strike, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 89-85-67
◗ He defeated 3-year-olds on Oct. 13 in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby.
Gamble’s Ghost on win streak
Gamble’s Ghost is taking a three-race win streak in stakes into this 10-furlong test. She looked hopelessly beaten last time in the slow-paced Belle Mahone Stakes before closing furiously on the far outside from last to prevail in a three-way photo.
“I was looking to sneak inside, but there was no room to go through there,” Da Silva said. “I took her outside. That’s where she likes to be.”
Ten other fillies and mares were entered in the Grade 3 event, including the Mark Casse-trained trio of Bletchley, Giada Vegas, and Summer Luck.
