Eclipse lures familiar face

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A bad trip cost Are You Kidding Me a chance at capturing the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes for the third year in a row in 2017, and the venerable 8-year-old should be favored in this year’s edition of the 1 1/16-mile route at Woodbine on Saturday.

Are You Kidding Me had an abbreviated campaign after losing last year’s Eclipse by a neck. He went on to finish third behind Melmich in the Grade 3 Dominion Day and was a close second to that rival in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup in August before heading to the sidelines.

“He’s always been plagued with quarter cracks,” said trainer Roger Attfield. “I couldn’t control it enough last year to feel that he would be able to give 100 percent, so we just put him away for a while.”

Are You Kidding Me returned from a nine-month layoff to win the allowance prep for the Eclipse on May 5, beating Melmich after a three-wide stalking trip. Attfield said he wasn’t surprised to see him prevail in his first start back.

“He’d been training unbelievable,” Attfield said. “He’s doing really well. He’s a great, old horse.”

Attfield also entered last year’s Grade 3 Ontario Derby winner, Tiz a Slam, in the $175,000 event. Trainer Mike Maker entered 2016 Queen’s Plate victor Sir Dudley Digges and Tizzarunner.

KEY CONTENDERS

Are You Kidding Me, by Run Away and Hide Last 3 Beyers: 95-96-94

◗ As usual, the two-time Canadian champion will race with bar shoes.

◗ Rafael Hernandez retains the mount and has done well for the Hall of Fame trainer Attfield at the meet.

Melmich, by Wilko Last 3 Beyers: 90-85-95

◗ He was second to Pink Lloyd in the Sovereign Award voting for Canadian champion older male last year after winning five of seven outings, including four stakes.

◗ He had been idle for five months when finishing two lengths back of Are You Kidding Me in second after saving ground in the prep.

Sir Dudley Digges, by Gio Ponti Last 3 Beyers: NA-93-92

◗ He won his only race this year, which came over about nine furlongs on turf in the Barbados Gold Cup. The highlight of his 2017 campaign was a victory in the restricted Old Friends Stakes at Kentucky Downs.

Gigantic Breeze, by Giant’s Causeway Last 3 Beyers: 64-97-96

◗ He evolved into one of the leading older runners on the grounds last year, taking the Grade 2 Autumn here and the Presque Isle Downs Mile.

◗ This is his first start since an 11th-place finish in the Claiming Crown Jewel starter allowance on the dirt at Gulfstream on Dec. 2.

MICHAEL BURNS Are You Kidding Me (left) finishes second to Dragon Bay in the 2017 Eclipse Stakes. He had won the Eclipse in the two previous years and will try for another on Saturday.