Speedy juveniles to hook up

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Gemini Dream and San Diego Blowout are poised to hook up in what could be a memorable speed duel Sunday at Woodbine in the $134,875 Colin Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds.

Gemini Dream, trained by Arthur Silvera, finished third May 11 in his debut, a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race.

Most recently Gemini Dream was disqualified from first and placed seventh for interference in the Victoria Stakes, a race in which he clipped heels with Stormthebarricade at the three-eighths pole. Gemini Dream led throughout the five-furlong Victoria and was awarded a solid 84 Beyer Figure. The disqualification is under appeal with the Ontario Racing Commission.

"He came out of the race very well," said Silvera. "He suffered a little cut on his back leg, which was just superficial. They ran pretty quick, and I think he got a lot out of the race."

Silvera has always thought highly of Gemini Dream, who was a $10,000 yearling purchase in Kentucky.

"I've liked him from day one," Silvera said. "I ran him in a schooling race in March in Ocala, in which he didn't break very well. He was trailing the field going a quarter of a mile, but he made up a lot of ground and ended up just getting nipped at the wire.

"I didn't set him down too much in his works after the schooling race," Silvera added, "and I think that's why he got beat in his first race. I didn't have him cranked up."

Trainer Abraham Katryan purchased San Diego Blowout for $62,000 from a local 2-year-olds in training sale. The Kentucky-bred lived up to his name in his only start, winning a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special by 7 1/4 lengths while receiving an 80 Beyer.

"I expected him to run big, and he impressed me with the way he won," Katryan said. "He has quite a turn of foot leaving the gate. [Jockey David Clark] didn't even ask him to run. He just sat on him."

Katryan described San Diego Blowout as a laid-back colt who knows when to turn it on.

"He's like a push-button horse," Katryan said. "He doesn't train hard at all in the mornings, but when you ask him to work, he works. He worked super the other day. He galloped out really strong. He came back bouncing."

Also entered in the Colin are Firstgear, Zakocity, and Jazzy Jay.

* Winning Chance, the top older filly or mare at Woodbine, heads Sunday's supporting feature, the $108,000 Kamar Stakes.