Speed Again, who was established as the 15-1 fifth pick in Trot Magazine's 2012 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, will not be partaking in the $1.5-million event, which will take place June 16 at Mohawk Racetrack
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“We’re currently dealing with a pair of curb issues,” trainer Jeff Gillis told the Woodbine Entertainment Group. “It just happened recently. He was on schedule when it happened and had schooled a couple of times at Mohawk.”
The son of Dragon Again banked $497,421 in his freshman campaign, one in which he recorded a second-place effort in the Governors Cup and a third-place finish in the Metro Pace at Mohawk. The six-time winner also lowered the Campbellville raceway's track record for a two-year-old gelding last season when he recorded a victory in 1:50.3.
Gillis also noted that no timetable has been assigned for Speed Again’s return.
“Whenever you’re competing at this level it’s hard to predict when you hope to be back,” he said. “Curb issues are usually not career-threatening, but you just cannot race when your horse isn’t 100 per cent.”
Gillis, who was Canada’s Trainer of the Year in 2011, remains positive in the weeks ahead.
“I’m not going to say we faced bad luck, because we have been pretty fortunate over the past few years,” Gillis noted. “His issues certainly were unexpected because he was a very sound horse last season and had no issues training down this season.”
Speed Again, who was an $82,000 yearling purchase, compiled a record of 6-3-1 from 12 starts in 2011. He is co-owned by Gillis, along with Mac Nichol, Gerald Stay and Ken Henwood.
(With files from WEG)