"He's the complete package. He's great-gaited, he's sound. He's got it all...I'd put him as good as anything I've had."
At 6-1, In The Arsenal comes in at #3 in Trot Magazine's 2015 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book. In 2014, the son of American Ideal was both the fastest two-year-old pacing colt on a five-eighths mile track (1:50.4f at Harrah's Philadelphia) and a mile track (1:49.4 at The Red Mile). Trot Insider touched base with trainer Kelvin Harrison for an update.
Where did he winter?
"Right here [in New Jersey] at White Birch Farms. They have big paddocks where they keep all the broodmares and he had his own paddock right outside the barn."
How long was he turned out?
"We picked him up February 1st."
Have you noticed any changes from last year to this year?
"He didn't grow a whole lot but on his side they don't; they're a hair on the small side. He grew a little bit and filled out nice, he looks, really, really good. He's in top shape."
When will he qualify?
"He'll be ready to qualify toward the end of April, early May."
What's his early schedule looking like leading up to the Pepsi NA Cup?
"We'll give him a race at Tioga. I've got him down for the Sire Stakes and then right into the Rooney, then the North America Cup."
What is he staked to past the NA Cup?
"He's staked to pretty much everything; you name it, he's in it."