WOODBINE Are You Kidding Me goes in Eclipse for sixth straight year

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The popular 9-year-old Are You Kidding Me will make his sixth straight appearance in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes on the Victoria Day holiday Monday at Woodbine.

Are You Kidding Me finished fourth in his initial Eclipse start in 2014. A year later, he won it for the first time after rejoining trainer Roger Attfield’s barn following a brief winter stint in California.

Are You Kidding Me captured the 2016 Eclipse over an excellent field that included Breaking Lucky and Melmich. He had a terrible trip when a close second in the 2017 Eclipse, and then won it for the third time last year over Melmich and Gigantic Breeze.

Following a winter layoff April 5, Are You Kidding Me wound up ninth after a wide trip in an allowance route on the grass at Keeneland.

“He was a little short going into that race, and it did him some good,” Attfield said. “I felt I had to get him a race in April to come here for this one. We should be good. He might have missed a step or two, but he’s doing well.”

Five others were entered in the 1 1/16-mile, $175,000 Eclipse, including the Keeneland-based supplement Third Day.

KEY CONTENDERS

Are You Kidding Me, by Run Away and Hide Last 3 Beyers: 84-94-83

◗ The old guy had the clockers buzzing Wednesday, when he breezed five-eighths in a bullet 59.80 seconds on the Tapeta.

“I definitely had to go into the race off of that work,” Attfield said. “He’s in really good shape and a very happy horse.”

Mr Ritz, by Oasis Dream Last 3 Beyers: 82-90-83

◗ The 4-year-old blossomed last summer when he won a first-level allowance here and the $200,000 Caesars Stakes on the grass at Indiana Grand. He has worked extensively in preparation for his first start since a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby on Tapeta here Oct. 13.

Decorated Soldier, by Proud Citizen Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-94

◗ He capped a three-race win streak last September by taking the $200,000 Presque Isle Downs Mile and subsequently ran seventh here in the Grade 2 Autumn. After a winter layoff, he finished ninth behind Pink Lloyd in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier, a six-furlong sprint that should set him up for the stretchout.

Souper Tapit, by Tapit Last 3 Beyers: 78-88-95

◗ He won his lone start on Tapeta in the Grade 3 Marine in 2017. His last two races in graded stakes were subpar, but he won the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic three starts ago at Gulfstream.