Tharrenos pair show talent right from the start

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Bill Tharrenos has some tentative plans for his unbeaten geldings Stolen Identity and Not So Quiet.

Stolen Identity, a flashy 2-year-old, had been working up a storm prior to his debut in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special for Ontario-sired horses July 29. After getting bet down to 1-2, he went straight to the front and never looked back to prevail by 8 1/4 lengths. His time of 1:05.10 was good for a 66 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He’s always shown promise,” Tharrenos said. “We gave him time and put the miles under him. He’s in a growth spurt right now. He’s moving forward. He’s an unbelievable horse to be around. He’s a total gentleman.”

Tharrenos said he and his partnership group have turned down several significant offers for Stolen Identity, a son of Old Forester.

“He’s not for sale,” Tharrenos said.

Tharrenos is pointing Stolen Identity to the $175,000 Simcoe Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for graduates of local yearling sales here Aug. 29.

The rapid 3-year-old Not So Quiet won his opener in the final race July 18, a Wednesday night, by 6 1/2 lengths in a five-furlong clocking of 57.55 seconds. He proved it wasn’t a fluke 18 days later, when he came back to wire Ontario-sired allowance opposition by 4 1/4 lengths, going 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.58. He earned Beyers of 85 and 83 in those two outings.

Tharrenos said he wasn’t surprised by the talent exhibited by Not So Quiet, a son of leading Ontario sire Silent Name.

“He showed it as a 2-year-old,” Tharrenos said. “We kept fighting shins and shins and shins. He had worked against some Mark Casse horses, and we knew he had some ability.”

Tharrenos said he was particularly impressed with Not So Quiet’s second start.

“I didn’t like rushing him back that quick, but he only went five-eighths the first time,” Tharrenos said. “He ran an 83 Beyer the second time. It’s just the way he did it. It was the first time that he actually got pushed a little, and he came out of it good. He’s a very athletic little individual.”

Tharrenos said Not So Quiet could make his next start in an open seven-furlong allowance Aug. 25.

“There’s no Ontario-sired stuff yet,” Tharrenos said. “He’s going to have to run against open company now, and we’ll see how good he is. He’s doing well.”

◗ Friday’s nine-race card is made up exclusively maiden and claiming events. There are five grass races, including a $16,000 maiden route with a large field in the nightcap. If the Jackpot Hi 5 carries over again from Wednesday night, then Friday’s carryover should be in the neighborhood of $350,000.