Mutakinmove out to finish the job
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mutakinmove, an improving maiden, will try to turn the tables on favored Spread the News in Sunday's $150,000 Vandal Stakes for 2-year-olds at Woodbine.
When they met last month in the Clarendon Stakes, Mutakinmove made a strong rail bid to finish second, a neck behind Spread the News. In his only other start, Mutakinmove finished fourth by 1 3/4 lengths in a quality maiden special won by Seaside Links.
Trainer Lorna Perkins said Mutakinmove figured to move forward in the Clarendon.
"He might have been a little short for his first start, and then I expected a big race from him," Perkins said. "I thought he could be right there. He was still a little green, and he's matured since then. At the beginning of the year, he was a little hot-headed, but he's settled down now and wants to be a racehorse."
Mutakinmove worked a half-mile in 50.20 seconds on the training track last Monday.
"He's not a real great work horse," Perkins said. "His times are average, but when the competition is there, he wants it."
Mutakinmove, a son of Kentucky sire Mutakddim, was a $35,000 yearling purchase by owners Tony Coombes and Diane Murphy.
"I've always been a fan of Mutakddim, and [Mutakinmove] is out of a Bold Ruckus mare," Perkins said. "He was a bit small as a yearling, and I think that's why we got him at such a good price. He's grown into a nice size."
Spread the News won his maiden in his second start, scoring by a neck over promising stablemate Dancer's Bajan, who came right back to win his maiden. Spread the News got a 62 Beyer Speed Figure for winning the Clarendon and finished five furlongs in 57.20 seconds.
"He does exactly what he has to do to win," said trainer Bob Tiller. "He's done everything I've asked of him so far. There's no reason to believe he won't continue to run well. He's had a month off and has had one good half-mile work. That's all he should need. He missed one work, because the training track was too scary."
Tiller said Spread the News has a versatile running style.
"He's got natural speed, but he's not a speed horse," Tiller said. "He doesn't have to be in front."
Also in the six-horse field of Ontario-breds is Catsimile, who in his only start June 4 narrowly defeated a fast-closing Spread the News.