With the May 21st deadline getting closer, to enter the 2nd annual COSA Fantasy Stable Contest, trainer Carmen Auciello shared his thoughts on the team he’ll select for the 2021 COSA contest.

Auciello has trained 1,599 winners to purse earnings of $24,931,684 and is a household name across the WEG Circuit. The resident of Stouffville caught up with TROT while currently residing in the USA as a result of racing shutdown in Ontario due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auciello offered up his high hopes for three-year-old trotting colt Macho Martini who highlights Group Q.

“I looked at this horse as a yearling. I never tried to buy him but after I saw him sell I thought he was a steal, and that he should have brought way more money than he did. I always kept my eye on him and he turned out to be an amazing two-year-old - I would imagine he is going to have a big three-year-old season after having the winter to grow and get stronger.”

Macho Martini was a $37,000 Harrisburg purchase for owner Determination, who earned $454,393 as a rookie for trainer Luc Blais and driver Bob McClure. He captured eight of 11 starts including four OSS Gold divisions, an elimination of the William Wellwood, a division of the Champlain and the final of the Millard Farms. He ended his two-year-old season with a speed badge of 1:54.4.

Auciello also shared his thoughts on three-year-old pacing filly Bet On Becky, a filly who won four of five freshman starts, earning a speed badge of 1:50.4 for trainer Tony Beaton but was sidelined in August and missed the rest of the season.

“This filly is one of the fastest two-year-old fillies I think I have ever seen, but she obviously had some issues with soundness last season. I think if she sounded up over the winter and is bigger and stronger she will be a Grand Circuit horse -- I really don’t think there are too many that will be able to beat her.”

Highlighting Auciello’s driver’s category is driver Doug McNair, who was Carmen’s choice in Group A.

“I think Dougie is in a great spot right now for picking up live mounts this summer. He is always consistent in the OSS program and his Dad always has his young horses ready to go. With him being in the states right now as well, that could also help him pick up some drives for American trainers who may be sending Ontario-bred horses north this summer.”

After praising Macho Martini in Group Q, it would only seem fitting that trainer Luc Blais would highlight Auciello’s Group D. “Luc does a very good job with his young horses, they are typically all regally-bred and he always has them ready and fit to last the entire OSS season.”

On the breeding side of the spectrum, unlike MacDonald and Young who highlighted trotting stallion Kadabra, Auciello shared his thoughts on pacing sire Sportswriter.

“Sportswriter seems to have the ability to throw early speed - his offspring seem to always be good at two and three which seals the deal for me to pick him in this group.”

Group A: Doug McNair
Group B: Jonathan Drury
Group C: Scott Young

Group D: Luc Blais
Group E: Shawn Steacy
Group F: Blake Macintosh

Group G: Sportswriter
Group H: Big Jim

Group I: Kadabra
Group J: Resolve

Group K: Lawless Shadow
Group L: Candy Trader
Group M: Second Bruiser

Group N: Bet On Becky
Group O: Andra Day
Group P: Nightlife Seelster

Group Q: Macho Martini
Group R: Master Grand
Group S: Rookie Season

Group T: Dashing Muscle
Group U: Hawaii
Group V: Tipsy In Dixie

Group W: Shadowmoon Rising
Group X: Bettorsway

Group Y: Bettorholdontight
Group Z: Girl Party

Group AA: Bettorputaringonit
Group BB: Got The Gold

Group CC: All In Resolve
Group DD: Kevins Playmate

Group EE: Conflictresolution
Group FF: Danika

Group GG: Denice Muscles
Group HH: GG And Ress

The top 20 finishers in the 2021 COSA Fantasy Stable Contest will all win great prizes, with the Grand Prize, worth over $4,000, being a night in a private suite at Woodbine Mohawk Park, complete with $2,500 in betting vouchers and $1,500 in food and drink.

NOTE: With the 2021 OSS season starting later than originally anticipated, the start date of the COSA Fantasy Stable Contest may well be extended. Please stay tuned to the Standardbred Canada website for more news in this regard.

Entry is FREE - click here to enter.