R U Watchingbud redirected to Deputy Minister
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Following a botched run in the Plate Trial Stakes, R U Watchingbud seems poised to regroup on Wednesday night at Woodbine in the $125,000 Deputy Minister Stakes.
In the June 14 Trial, R U Watchingbud collided on the backstretch with Danzig Moon, who was being pulled up with a leg fracture that proved to be fatal. Emma-Jayne Wilson came off R U Watchingbud, who avoided an injury.
“He got jarred up after getting hit by that horse,” said trainer John Ross. “He was just a little stiff, and it took him a few days to get over it.”
Ross had to bypass the July 5 Queen’s Plate with R U Watchingbud, who was beaten less than three lengths by Plate winner Shaman Ghost when fifth in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes.
“He was on target for the Plate,” Ross said. “I was looking forward to him finishing [in the Trial] to see where we were at.”
R U Watchingbud breezed in 1:00.20 on the Polytrack July 12, which was the fastest of 38 five-furlong works at the distance.
“That was just by himself with Emma on him,” Ross said. “He was just cruising along. I was very happy with him.”
Ross blew him out three-eighths in 36.40 seconds on Sunday for the seven-furlong Deputy Minister. “He’s cutting back, and I want to have a little speed back into him,” he said.
The Deputy Minister, named after the 1981 Canadian Horse of the Year, lured five other Ontario-sired 3-year-olds.
KEY CONTENDERS
R U Watchingbud (Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-82)
◗ His closing victory going seven furlongs in the May 2 Queenston Stakes was visually impressive. “He does suit the seven furlongs very well,” Ross said. “He’s a good come-from-behind sprinter.”
◗ Ross and Wilson combined to capture the Bison City Stakes on July 12 with Brooklynsway.
Seffeara (Last 3 Beyers: 89-71-79)
◗ His only loss in three starts this year came against older Ontario-sired opposition in the New Providence Stakes.
◗ Normally a front-runner, he came from fifth to win the restricted Bold Ruckus Stakes going away on June 13. This will be just his second try beyond six furlongs, and he drew favorably on the outside, a post from where his tactical speed may come in handy.
Goodoldhockeygame (Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-60)
◗ He finished second in both the Queenston and the Bold Ruckus, which was taken off the turf. His trainer, Bob Tiller, has won the Deputy Minister a record four times.
Kingsport (Last 3 Beyers: 82-70-66)
◗ He wisely skipped the Queen’s Plate to win a recent Ontario-sired optional claimer on grass.