Woodbine backstretch reopens as Canadians make their mark in the South.
Woodbine Race Track is set to welcome back its backstretch operations this week, but the Canadian presence is strongly felt in the south, with notable figures like jockey Patrick Husbands making headlines.
Renowned Canadian jockey Patrick Husbands, a multiple champion, recently took charge of Gay Smith's newest acquisition, Jerry The Nipper, a son of Liam's Map. Husbands guided the gelding around the Garrison Savannah turf course on February 24 in preparation for the upcoming 41st Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, scheduled for this Saturday. Racing enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of this training session in the video shared on Racing Scene.
Jerry The Nipper, under the tutelage of trainer Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable, boasts an impressive racing record of 6 wins, 4 places, and 7 shows in 21 starts, accumulating earnings amounting to $544,025. The seven-year-old gelding recently showcased his prowess by securing a commendable third place, albeit facing some challenges, in the Grade 3 Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Florida. In a previous outing at the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), Jerry The Nipper fell short, finishing ninth after chasing a hot pace and being defeated by four lengths. Following this performance, the bay gelding has now been relocated to the stables of owner Gay Smith, a three-time Gold Cup victor.
Having clinched the Gold Cup title four times in the past, Patrick Husbands expertly guided Jerry The Nipper during a training session, shadowing stablemate Portfolio Company, a Kitten's Joy progeny trained by Chad Brown.
Portfolio Company, a five-year-old bred by Ken Ramsey, was observed to be in good form. Ramsey, who has two horses entered in the upcoming event, is anticipating the arrival of his runners Cash Equity (Fr) and Spy Novel, both of whom have faced travel delays but are expected to reach Barbados by Tuesday.
Among the contenders for the Gold Cup is former Woodbine contender Pat'ssewingmachine, now under the training of Ted Holder, with jockey Rocco Bowen set to ride during the prestigious event. The son of We Miss Artie, also bred by Ken Ramsey, showcased his potential by securing a victory in the Coolmore Stakes on his debut at the Garrison.
Noteworthy in the racing scene is King's Plate victor Paramount Prince, who is on the verge of making his debut as a four-year-old following a series of promising workouts at Gulfstream Park on Tapeta. Paramount Prince, a son of Society's Chairman, displayed his form by clocking a time of 48.78 over four furlongs during his fourth preparation session under trainer Mark Casse's guidance.
Meanwhile, another promising prospect under Casse's stable, My Boy Prince, who, like Paramount Prince, is a strong contender for the Sovereign Award at the upcoming awards ceremony in April, displayed his form on February 24 at the Ocala Training Centre by completing five furlongs in 1:01.20.
Adding to the Canadian success story is Ontario-bred I'm A Cutie Pie, sired by Mendelssohn and out of Adorable by Smart Strike, who secured her third victory in her tenth start by triumphing in a 1 1/8 mile allowance/optional race on the dirt at Laurel Park on February 25. Bred by Saintsbury Farm, this Woodbine Oaks hopeful completed the distance in a time of 1:56.45 on a notably slow track.