After putting forth a solid effort in the Pepsi North America Cup on June 27 at Mohawk Racetrack, Keep It Real and his connections are in the process of laying out a short-term plan for his three-year-old season
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“We were very happy with him,” said trainer Joey Shea of Keep It Real's third-place finish - individually timed in 1:48.4 - in the Cup to Well Said. “He came out of the race feeling good."
With Shea speculating that there may not be a three-year-old open with the Canadian Breeders Championship eliminations set for next week, he is pointing Keep It Real to the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at The Meadows.
“We trained him Tuesday and he trained real well. [The colt's owner] Wayne Whebby is coming out and we’re going to train him Saturday morning and decide after that if we’re going to go to the Sires Stakes next Thursday,” says Shea, who hopes to get his Pennsylvania license in time to head down with his pupil.
Following the Sires Stakes, Shea says the Real Artist – Magical Leah colt will stay in Pennsylvania for the Adios eliminations scheduled on Friday, July 24.
“If he makes it, he goes to the final and then we’ll bring him back here and decide what we’re doing after that. We’re going to take it race by race, that’s what Wayne wants to do.”