Fred And Ginger was one of the most talked-about colts heading into the Pepsi North America Cup eliminations last week. Having won in 1:48.4 over the Meadows, he has shown all that he has the speed to get the job done in the $1.5 million 'Cup' final. Post 2, Dave Palone, 12-1. No respect? Just ask trainer Ron Burke
.
When contacted by Trot Insider, Burke didn't come out and say that his charge was getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment, but he did give multiple reasons why a wager on his Real Artist colt may be well worth punters' whiles.
"What people don't realize is that he did not have a good week leading up to the elimination," Burke said. "It was touch and go if we were going to ship him up on the Thursday. He had gone a big mile the week before and then bounced back a little flat, which is something that happens in horse racing."
Burke indicated that blood has since been taken on the $65,000 yearling purchase and that "it has come back perfectly. He's 100% now and we're looking forward to the final," he said.
Fred And Ginger started from the disadvantaged Post 9 in his Cup elim and scooted into the six-hole when it presented itself on the first turn. Floating into the outer tier as they approached the final turn, Palone retained full control of his mount as he watched the action unfold in front of him. The veteran pilot pulled Fred And Ginger even wider halfway through the final turn. Coming home widest of all through the lane, Palone and his mount dug in as they kept close tabs on second-place finisher Delmarvalous. All Speed Hanover won the dash in 1:49.4. Palone and Fred And Ginger finished third, two and three-quarters back in third. They were individually timed in 1:50.2.
"Dave said he was happy with him (after the race) and he told us that his line would be deceiving because he actually raced better than what the line will indicate," Burke said.
"I was ecstatic with the post draw. If it was up to us, we would've taken Post 2 if we won the elimination, so we couldn't be happier."
Burke explained to Trot Insider that Fred And Ginger is staying at the Classy Lane Training Centre while in Ontario and that he was 100% in a light training mile today. "I've been told that he was really good training today," Burke explained. "He went a mile in about (2:) 20 with him sprinting the last eighth, like we do with most of our horses. We like to make sure they finish up well and are up on the bit. He's tight right now, so that's really all he needs."
Sometimes it is the small things in life which seem to make all the difference, and it may just be a small change which will make Fred And Ginger's connections $750,000 richer this Saturday night.
"We've actually adjusted his rigging for the final," Burke told Trot Insider. "In the elim we had him rigged the same way we did when he was racing at the Meadowlands. He was rigged differently when he went the big mile at the Meadows, and he's going to be rigged that way when he races Saturday."
The equipment change, now that is something Burke can control. What he can't control is what is going to happen when the starting gate pulls away from the Cup field on Saturday. And like most, Burke has conveyed that the 2010 edition of the Pepsi North America Cup could be one for the ages.
"I do really think that there is going to be a lot of guessing in the race, and I'm not sure if anyone really thinks that they're going to be sticking to some pre-conceived game plan," he said. "I think that there are six or seven horses that all look like they want to be up at the front at some point because people aren't in there to get a piece, they want the whole thing. We haven't even talked strategy yet. It is shaping up to be a really good race."
To view the recap of the post position draw, click here.
Mohawk's 13-dash Saturday program has a first-race post time of 7:10 p.m. Post time for the 27th edition of the Cup (Race 7), the richest pacing event in the world, is 9:40 p.m., The Score Television Network will air a special one and one-half hour telecast nationally from 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (ET).
To view free, printable program pages for Mohawk's Saturday card courtesy of TrackIT, click here.
To view SC's regular entries page for NA Cup night, click here.