It is not commonplace to hear horseman Dan Daley singing the praises of one of his charges in the horse racing trade media, so when he does people should probably listen. “I don’t usually go to the Breeders Crown unless I’ve got a legitimate shot," he told the Vernon Downs media office, "and I think he does so we’re going to race him.”
The horse in question is Royal Shyster, a product of the 17-foal first crop of RC Royalty, another top performer that Daley campaigned on racing's grandest stages
Royal Shyster has drawn Post 5 for his $25,407 Breeders Crown elimination (Race 2, 7:50 p.m.) set for this Friday night (October 21) at Woodbine Racetrack in suburban Toronto. Daley, who also trains the freshman, will be at the bay's controls in the dash. The duo will be looking to gain entrance to the lucrative Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot, a piece of a massive card of racing scheduled for Saturday, October 29 at Woodbine.
Although Daley didn't not reach 'Crown' glory with RC Royalty, he is pumped about his chances with Royal Shyster, who boasts a resume of 9-3-0 and $228,290 in purses from 12 starts this year --- not a bad return so far from a yearling which was collared for $14,000 at a sale last fall.
“His dad was a really good horse, but he’s actually more manageable and he’s going to go on and be a top, top horse,” Daley said. “There aren’t too many two-year olds that can just trot a quarter in 27 seconds at the drop of a hat. He’s a good horse and wants to be a great horse.”
Royal Shyster scored the easiest of wins in his $175,000 New York Sire Stakes final at Saratoga on October 1, which stretched his winning streak to seven.
The streak came to a surprising halt last Friday with a runner-up finish in a division of the Simpson Stakes at Vernon Downs. Daley said the colt emerged from the race a little sick, but will be ready for the Breeders Crown.
To view the entries and program (courtesy of TrackIT) for Friday's card of racing at Woodbine, please click on the corresponding links which appears below.
• Friday Entries
• Friday Program
(With files from Vernon Downs)
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