The highly-anticipated Confederation Cup eliminations saw 16 entries on Wednesday but one name was notably absent from the box. Local horse Hes Watching, who dazzled fans with an all-age world record mile of 1:46.4 in the Meadowlands Pace last year, will not be making the first start of his four-year-old season on Sunday.
“I was disappointed, honestly, it was just a case of bad timing. I’ve been looking forward to it since the race was announced,” trainer Dave Menary told Trot Insider on Wednesday. “I wasn’t 100 percent happy with the way the colt qualified and it was such a small time window. There were a few small issues that won’t be worked out before Sunday.”
Hes Watching charted his first line of the year on May 1 at Mohawk Racetrack in a qualifier with talented company the likes of O’Brien Award winners Lady Shadow and Vegas Vacation. Going his mile in 1:54, Jody Jamieson brought the American Ideal colt home in :26.4 to finish runner-up.
“He’s been super coming back this season, he’s been perfect but wasn’t perfect today. Right now we’re going to focus on getting him there and then hopefully enjoy the ride.”
Owned by Menary along with Brad Gray, Michael Guerriero and Muscara Racing Trust, Hes Watching (American Ideal - Baberhood) won 13 of 21 starts in his first two seasons and has banked more than $1.1 million. After going undefeated at two, the colt took a few starts to hit his best stride as a sophomore but managed a world record performance at The Meadowlands in July among his major victories.
“He had a bit of a bumpy start at three so we’re trying to get everything sorted and sooner the better. I have no doubt we’ll get these small issues ironed out right away.”
Hes Watching is staked into many of racing’s premier events in 2015, like the Canadian Pacing Derby, Prix D’Ete, William Haughton Memorial and the Breeders Crown.
“I wish he could have started on Sunday but there’s still plenty of season ahead.”
No timeframe was given as to when Hes Watching would appear next, or whether it would be in a race or a qualifier.