"Our goal from basically the time we got the colt was to point him to the Hambletonian: that's the race we want to win more than anything...We took the bye this week with hopes that the Hambletonian will be our third start in a row as opposed to our fourth, which I think will be ideal."
On today's episode of Trot Radio, Norm Borg catches up with trainer Jeff Gillis. The 2011 O'Brien Award winner as Canada's Trainer of the Year has a chance for a very lucrative night on Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack with top contenders in three of the carded finals. Gillis sends out favoured Knows Nothing (PP5, 2-1) in the Canadian Breeders Championship for three-year-old colt trotters. The last time Knows Nothing raced, he finished fourth for the first loss of his young career and Gills was disappointed he didn't win that race despite the colt trotting in 1:52.3.
"We expected a big effort, we expected him to win," stated Gillis. "I thought if he was within striking distance that he would run down just about anything...I didn't think there would be five across the wire in :52. I figured the race might go in :52 but it would be us winning it. I guess maybe that's just all he was ready for but I don't think that's the bottom of him. Prior to the week before he'd never been faster than :56...maybe he just lacked a bit of seasoning to beat those colts."
Jet Wash (PP2, 5-1) is the co-third favourite on the morning line in the three-year-old filly pace, and Gillis feels his filly will fare better than she did in her last outing - a seventh place finish at Georgian Downs.
"My barn has been plagued with virus and we've had a lot of trouble shaking it the last couple months and she's no exception," noted Gillis. "Again, we took the bye in order to have her healthy and peaking for the final."
Despite Post 8, Mister Herbie goes off as the second choice in the morning line for the 2012 Maple Leaf Trot, a star-studded affair despite the lack of three-time defending champion San Pail. Those odds are heavily influenced by the Here Comes Herbie stallion's last outing: 1:52.3 qualifying effort on July 6 at Mohawk.
"We were quite content with the way he qualified, and he's just been a phenomenal animal for us. We're excited every time he goes behind the gate."
Gillis attributes the poor showing at Georgian in the Earl Rowe to a poor reaction from the trip to New Jersey for the Cutler Memorial.
"I just didn't plan it correctly, in hindsight. We shipped down on a Thursday, came back on the Sunday...he went a tough trip, a really tough trip down there and I think he was probably about 75 pounds lighter by the time he got back."
After some time off turned out on grass, Gillis wasn't surprised by the time of Mister Herbie's qualifying mile.
"I asked Jody to go in :53 and change and, as you know, Jody's pretty inexperienced with that stuff," joked Gillis.
Gillis also provides an update on the curb issues that held back highly-touted sophomore pacer Speed Again, who is racing in the Preferred on Saturday night and is pointed for the 2012 Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs. To listen to the full interview with Borg and Gillis, click the play button below. A full program for Saturday night's stakes-packed card of harness racing is available here -- Saturday Mohawk Program.
Episode 268 – trainer Jeff Gillis
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
Please note that the opinions expressed in the featured interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.