Even though Federal Flex has been handed Post 10 for the Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot, the colt's connections aren't overly worried. "We have supreme confidence in this horse," trainer Jeff Gillis told Trot Insider.
After finishing a solid second to Explosive Matter in his 'Crown' elim last weekend, the connections of Federal Flex hoped for the best in the open draw for post positions. "We were happy with his effort in the elim. After having not raced for almost a month heading in, we thought he was good.
"What we weren't happy with was that he was at the mercy of the open draw and it just really didn't work out in our favour. We've been really lucky with Santanna Blue Chip in terms of drawing inside, so we knew things would catch up with us."
Gillis, who co-owns Federal Flex with driver Jody Jamieson, among others, said that the connections believe the Muscles Yankee freshman is the type of horse that can overcome such post adversity. "We're looking to get him forwardly-placed -- maybe third, fourth or fifth -- and then take it from there," said Gillis.
"Muscle Hill, Explosive Matter and Federal Flex are pretty evenly matched. It remains to be seen if there is a best out of that bunch at this moment. [On Saturday] it'll probably be a classic case of who gets the best trip."
From eight starts this year, Federal Flex has tallied five wins, a pair of seconds, $476,818 in purses and a mark of 1:56.1 (over Mohawk Racetrack). The Champlain and Valley Victory winner has impressed in 2008 and the Hambletonian will be the big target in '09.
Muscle Hill (PP2, Brian Sears 7-5) has been installed as the morning line favourite and Explosive Matter (PP3, Ron Pierce, 5-2) is the second choice. Federal Flex has been pegged as the 8-1 fourth choice.
Click here to view a printable program page for the Meadowlands' Breeders Crown card.
Is anyone else out there as
Is anyone else out there as confident as me? I just finished watching replays of all the BC elims, and was anything but suprised at Double J's results. As many Canadians have known for awhile-but alot of Yanks quickly found out JJ is one of the best in the world.
The proof is in the pudding. Question-how many outside post starters did he "masterfully" steer into BC finals? Answer (I'm pretty sure) all of them! Add a tighter top horse like Federal Flex in the balance and post 10 is just a starting position.
Good luck in the finals to JJ and the conections of Federal Flex and all the other Canadian connected horses in the finals. By having JJ in the bike the Yanks will soon turn into believers-if they already aren't. Yes, JC is JC, Tim Tetrick's numbers speak for themselves as do Brian Sears, but put JJ behind the same horses, in the same races for the same money as they've raced, and his numbers would be the same as theirs!
Don't get me wrong, these are the best in the business, but like every other sport, where the Yanks think they've got the best, our top guys quietly go out there and do the same thing with alot less fanfare and recognition-trust me, that's going to change this weekend. Don't forget, we've already got the winning horse and driver in the 3YO Colt Pace, and the Canadian Driver and Horse trophies won't end there.
Go Team Canada!! Show'em who you are JJ-The Best.