With his connections opting to err on the side of caution, Trot Insider has learned that trotting standout San Pail will bypass this Sunday's Glorys Comet final
at Woodbine Racetrack.
"'Pail' isn't really all that sick but his blood is all out of whack for him and he does have a cough," trainer and co-owner Rod Hughes told Trot Insider. "We'll play it safe. There are bigger fish to fry this summer."
Will those summer plans include a trip to Europe? Hughes wouldn't say yes or no.
"We're up in the air about it, I'd really like to go but he's not the easiest horse on himself," said Hughes. "It's something we're considering. The dates are awfully close to the Maple Leaf Trot and we'd love to be back there and to defend our title."
As for the rest of the stakes schedule for the San Pellegrino - Village Beauty gelding in 2010, it's close to the 2009 slate that landed San Pail O'Brien consideration in the Older Trotting Horse category. Hughes did say that trips to Rideau Carleton Raceway for the Frank Ryan and the Masters Series at Georgian Downs could also play into their plans.
Hughes also told Trot Insider that the short spell of time off over the winter months clearly agreed with his prized pupil.
"He seems bigger and stronger even with just that short time off," said Hughes. "We're now aiming now for a mid-March return."
Glad to hear that the Frank
Glad to hear that the Frank Ryan is on the radar screen. On behalf of all of us at RCR, we would love to have "The Pail" race here.