Ross' stable of 2-year-olds looks strong
Nobody should feel sorry for owner-trainer John Ross because he sold Lexie Lou before she swept the Woodbine Oaks and the Queen’s Plate. Ross did get a pretty penny for the powerful bay, a reported $400,000, and his current crop of 2-year-olds looks promising.
Ross runs R U Watchingbud in the Clarendon Stakes off a third behind the runaway winner Conquest Tsunami in the Victoria Stakes. He was beaten a half-length for second in that open, five-furlong dash and has since breezed a half-mile in 48.80 seconds.
“He’s a big, strong colt,” Ross said. “He’s been doing everything right. He broke his maiden in nice fashion and was right there for second in the Victoria.”
Ross entered the unraced Brooklynsway in Sunday’s $150,000 Shady Well Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong dash for Ontario-bred juvenile fillies. She was a $9,000 yearling purchase by second-year sire Giant Gizmo.
“She’s a nice, big filly who’s been thriving,” Ross said. “The way she looks and the way she’s been working, I’m going to give her a shot in the Shady Well. I normally wouldn’t do that, but I really like her, and it’s for [Ontario-breds].”