Faced with what he calls one of the most difficult decisions of his award-winning driving career, Jody Jamieson spent the last few days going over Saturday’s replays of the Upper Canada Cup eliminations
and considering the post draw results before choosing Twin B Warrior to drive in the $472,500 final on May 29 at Georgian Downs.
“When we’re talking about a $500,000 purse, it’s a huge purse and it’s a huge race and it’s really just the start of the season so I’ve had a couple days of not a whole lot of sleep thinking about who I was going to take,” admitted Jamieson.
The two-time O’Brien Award winner told Trot Insider that he was thoroughly impressed by the performances of all three of his choices - both elimination winners Twin B Warrior and the Dave Menary-trained Haul Away, and runner-up BP Chimo, conditioned by James Barton.
“[Haul Away] was really good. He made a mistake around the last turn and dove sideways and caused an inquiry but still mustered up enough strength to win, which was very impressive. Then there was BP Chimo, who was a little rough in the last turn but raced large to be second in a huge time. [He went] first over from the seven-hole in his first start of the year.”
Ultimately, Jamieson settled on Twin B Warrior, the winner of the fastest elimination in 1:51.1.
“Twin B Warrior was just on cruise control. He re-moved to the front and was just strong to the wire. I left the earplugs in. Most times the earplugs don’t do a whole lot, but this horse has another gear when you pull the plugs. Even if he’s tired, he’ll try to go another gear for you.
"I’m really excited. He drew the two-hole, which helped my decision along. BP Chimo has the seven-hole so he’s handicapped a little bit from out there and Haul Away with the rail, it was a tough choice to pick over him.”
Twin B Warrior, an $82,000 Forest City sale purchase for Mac Nichol of Burlington, ON, won three of his four starts as a two-year-old including his Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Championship at Rideau Carleton Raceway and finished second in Flamboro Downs’ Bud Light Stake while making his May 14 sophomore debut. Jeff Gillis trains the son of Apaches Fame-What An Attitude, who is listed at 38-1 in the Trot Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.
Ideally, Jamieson says he would like to send Twin B Warrior to the front, get away with some easy fractions, then sprint home to win the Upper Canada Cup, but notes that it probably won’t be that easy.
“I’m just going to see what happens but definitely we’ll be leaving a bit and attempting to control the race. We’ll see what happens from there. He looks like he’s the one to beat so I’m not sure that it matters if he’s tracking them or on the front. He’s a very versatile horse as he showed last year winning from off the pace at London. He has a lot of really good qualities for a three-year-old.”
$472,500 Upper Canada Cup
PP - Horse
1. Haul Away
2. Twin B Warrior
3. Grin For Money
4. Boadies Song
5. P L Dangerous
6. Wellthereyougo
7. BP Chimo
8. Adrenaline
9. Golden Terror
AE1. Red Bugler
AE2. Stonebridge Tonic
For a recap of the Upper Canada Cup eliminations, click here.
Were there any other drivers
Were there any other drivers that were named on more than one horse and also had to make a decision? This is a big race for all owners/trainers and drivers. Perhaps others should also get a plug.
Good choice Jody Good luck
Good choice Jody
Good luck
is thinking it wasn't that
is thinking it wasn't that hard of a choice..We all know you're a Jeff Gillis man.You and he have had a history together which solidified your decision. All 3 would have been easy choices.. Good Luck!