It’s hard not to Stay Hungry with this horse
Seventeen years ago, Brad Grant had the privilege of standing in the winner’s circle when Bettors Delight captured the 2001 North America Cup. In two months, he hopes to do so again.
The Milton horse owner shares interest in three-year-old pacing colt Stay Hungry, who is one of the winterbook favourites for Canada’s signature event in the harness racing game. And while it is far from a lock, Grant believes things are falling into place nicely. “The horse has come back very well. He just returned from the winter in Florida and is now at Gaitway Farms in New Jersey with trainer Tony Alagna,” says Grant, who owns several trucking companies.
“He trained a mile in 1:56 before he left, and the game plan is to have him start in three to four weeks’ time getting in a few starts before ... the North America Cup.”
Grant still has fond memories of Bettors Delight, who was owned by his late father, John. That was an epic year when the colt battled toe-to-toe with Real Desire, but it was all Bettors Delight the night of the North America Cup.
“There are some interesting comparisons between Bettors Delight and Stay Hungry. Bettors Delight won $800,000 at two while my guy took in $557,000. Bettors Delight cost $65,000 as a yearling while Stay Hungry was $150,000. Both horses won the Breeders Crown as two-year-olds. Now, Bettors Delight made over $1.7 million as a three-year-old. I can only hope Stay Hungry does, as well.”
Often, buyers of yearling horses are struck by some buyer remorse, especially when the horse is a high ticket item. But that was not the case with Grant in the fall of 2016.
“I liked him a lot before the sale — he was one of three or four out of the entire catalogue we wanted to go after. There was nothing especially noticeable about him but he had the pedigree and just looked the part,” says Grant, who may be the largest single horse owner in Canadian racing.
“About a week after the sale, I got a call from Irwin Samelman who lives in Las Vegas. I had never heard of him but he called to say he thought Stay Hungry was the best horse in the sale and wanted to know if he could partner with me. We talked a bit, then talked some more and just hit it off, so we became equal partners. Looks like a very good move on his part.”
Grant, unlike Stay Hungry, did not make it to Florida this past winter so he has not seen Stay Hungry since his last start in November but has received some encouraging reports from driver, Doug McNair.
“Doug says he just looks bigger and more like an older racehorse. Everyone remembers his sire Somebeachsomewhere for being such an impressive specimen, and I guess this fellow is in that line now.”
The Cup is a bit like the Masters in golf. It is early in the season and it is no place for a contestant to be trying to find their game. It is back-to-back weeks of tough racing against the best sophomores in the land, and the winner needs the very best he has to offer and more.
Saturday, June 16, will mark the 45th edition of the North America Cup again at the renamed Woodbine Mohawk Park. If things break just right, Brad Grant could be in that winner’s enclosure again with that trophy in his hands.