Yves Gauthier is having a blast. At 65, the longtime Quebec horseman will be competing Saturday in the biggest race of his long career, the $502,000 final of the Goldsmith Maid Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack, driving his one-horse stable, Musclemad
.
The two-year-old trotting filly will be a big price, but that doesn't bother Gauthier. He's happy just to be there.
"Definitely, she's in tough. I wouldn't say she's got a great chance, but you can't say she has no chance, either. I've been around racing long enough to know that anything can happen if you're in the race, and we are."
Musclemad qualified for the final by finishing fourth (at 72-1) in her elimination behind Massive Drama. She also advanced to the $466,000 final of the Peaceful Way Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack earlier this year, but made a break at mid-race and finished well back.
Gauthier, who has nearly 1,000 career wins in the race bike, said he prefers to drive the filly himself because she's growthy and difficult. "You have to know her. If you're rough with her, you'll go nowhere."
Musclemad, by Muscles Yankee, was a $9,000 (U.S.) yearling purchase at the Harrisburg sale. Gauthier bought her after liquidating his six-horse Quebec stable, hoping he'd have a horse good enough to compete in major stakes in Canada and the U.S. She's done that, although her only win so far came in the $28,300 final of the Majestic Son Trotting Series at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Saturday's race will be her final start this year.
"It's been fun, just as I hoped," Gauthier said.
To view the entries for Saturday's card at Woodbine, click here.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)