Keep It Real had been relatively quiet since competing in the Breeders Crown at Woodbine Racetrack at the end of October. Although, after having qualified at Mohawk Racetrack last week, owner Wayne Whebby
told Trot Insider that the talented colt will be heard from sooner than later.
The three-year-old Real Artist colt showed the North American harness racing industry this year that he had the talent to distinguish himself from the large majority of the 'glamour boy' crop. His third-place finish -- clocked in 1:48.4 -- in the Pepsi North America Cup proved that he could bring some flash to the racetrack. Although, Whebby told Trot Insider at a point in his campaign that something went amiss with the bay.
Whebby wouldn't go into specifics about what had been ailing his young star, but he did say that Keep It Real is on the rebound.
"When the horse was racing well this year, the one thing that you would see was him hit the lane and then find another gear for the rest of the way home," Whebby, 67, told Trot Insider. "There became a point where that just wasn't happening an we couldn't figure out what the problem was."
The resident of Dartmouth, NS told Trot Insider that blood was recently taken from the youngster, the results of which indicated something was wrong.
"He's on the rebound and will be racing in the winter," Whebby explained.
Keep It Real had qualified multiple times during his two-year-old season, but did not make a pari-mutuel start as a freshman. The colt had many eyes on him this year at three after tearing up the 'non winners' ranks early. The colt has made 18 starts and won seven of the dashes, recorded two second-place finishes and a pair of thirds. The $45,000 yearling purchase has earned $306,900 in purses this season.
"He'll probably be able to get a couple of races in at Woodbine until he has to compete in the top class," Whebby said of the student of trainer Joey Shea.