Stacked Deck looks to repeat in Kennedy Road
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Stacked Deck secured his 2015 Canadian male sprint championship with a win in the Grade 2, $200,000 Kennedy Road Stakes last season, and he will look to repeat in this year’s edition for 3-year-olds and up over six furlongs at Woodbine on Sunday.
A win in the Kennedy Road, run on Tapeta, could get Stacked Deck some consideration for this season’s Canadian champion male sprinter award. His 2016 campaign had an unfortunate start when he was scratched at the gate for the Jacques Cartier Stakes on the meet’s opening day in April. He also missed time over the summer with an illness, but he’s come on strong late in the season with a win in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on Sept. 11 and a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes on turf on Oct. 16.
Stacked Deck comes into the Kennedy Road off a narrow defeat to Calgary Cat in the Nearctic. Despite the defeat, trainer Barb Minshall was pleased with Stacked Deck’s performance.
“He ran a huge race,” she said.
Minshall said Stacked Deck has been training well in the lead-up to this start. He comes into the Kennedy Road off a five-furlong breeze in 59.60 seconds on Tapeta on Nov. 13.
“I’m really happy with him,” she said. “Everything has gone as smooth as can be with him. I expect a big effort.”
Minshall added that the Kennedy Road would likely be Stacked Deck’s final start this season, but that the plan is for the 5-year-old gelding to return for a 2017 campaign.
Key Contenders
Stacked Deck, by First Samurai
Last 3 Beyers: 99-100-92
◗ His tactical speed should get him in a good position early. Sitting off the leader, like he did in the Nearctic, could be the strategy jockey Rafael Hernandez uses with plenty of speed in this field.
Puntrooskie, by In Summation
Last 3 Beyers: 95-102-95
◗ He dueled with Stacked Deck in his most recent start in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on Sept. 11, but was outkicked by his rival in the stretch.
◗ He came from off the pace to win the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes on July 23, and will likely be coming with a run late.
Passion for Action, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 89-89-94
◗ He returns to the Tapeta after a turf campaign that was highlighted by a win in the Grade 2 Highlander Stakes over six furlongs July 3.
◗ He had success on Tapeta early in the season, winning both the Jacques Cartier and Grade 3 Vigil Stakes with a 97 and 103 Beyer, respectively.
