"When they come out, they're going so fast right off the bat. These days horses will have to go in 1:50 or 1:51 in their first start."
Speedy homebred Escape The News comes in at #8 in the ranked at 22-1 Trot 2012 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book. Trot Insider caught up with a trainer who knows a thing or two about training superstars, Joe Holloway for an update on the Artiscape colt.
Where did he winter?
"Mostly in New Jersey, but he spent about four or five weeks in Kentucky down at Brittany Farms."
When did you start back with him?
"We brought him back the start of January, I don't like having too much time off."
Where are you at with him right now?
"2:02 now. I'm taking him to the Meadowlands today (Friday) and I plan to go around 1:59 with him."
Have you noticed any changes from last year to this year?
"He's grown quite a bit, he's a good size and he's muscled out. He seems real good."
When will he qualify?
"We're going to qualify on April 20, giving him two qualifers with a week in between - just in case. When they come out, they're going so fast right off the bat. These days a horse will have to go in 1:50 or 1:51 in their first start."
What will his early schedule look like leading up to the Pepsi NA Cup?
"He has a NYSS event the middle of May, that will be his first test."
What does his tentative schedule look like after the NA Cup?
"Everything is on his card. Last year he was right there with the top colts, really he'll tell us where we should go."