Trainer Carmen Auciello has been having a banner year in 2013, with a victory in the Don Mills Trotting Series at Woodbine Racetrack and a start in the Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk Racetrack with Burnin Money. Saturday night could prove to be the biggest payday in his career as another one of his trotters is set for action in Hanover Raceway's $71,200 Dream Of Glory Trot.
Auciello is aware of what is at stake for Enough About You, a three-year-old son of Mutineer, and is looking forward to the opportunity to capture Hanover Raceway’s biggest prize.
“It would be the richest race that I’ve won," said Auciello. "The Don Mills was probably my best accomplishment so far, but this would definitely rank right up there. It would be special to win, especially for these owners.”
Auciello trains Enough About You for the Wheelhouse Racing Stable, and Travis Henry will once again do the driving after an easy 1:59.1 victory in his elimination last Saturday night. The gelding is putting together a pretty nice sophomore season after a slow start as a two-year-old.
“The owners were always really high on him," explained Auciello. "He had a ton of speed, but made a few breaks. They gave him time to grow up and mature a little bit. I took over the training his first start this year. Don Graham trained him down and got him qualified.”
Since Auciello took over the training duties, Enough About You has bankrolled nearly $50,000 as a three-year-old racing primarily on the WEG circuit and recently competed in the Canadian Breeders Championships. Auciello has been pleased with how the horse has matured.
“He’s definitely stepped up," he said. "We could have gone the Grassroots route, but the money just isn’t there. We figured he made some money in overnights and he’s done okay in the Golds. He just missed [a cheque] in the Canadian Breeders. He’s holding his own. He got sick before the Breeders and still wasn’t 100 per cent, but we think he’s full strength now.”
After a convincing win in the Dream Of Glory elimination round, Auciello is confident in Enough About You heading into the final, but knows there will be a more competitive field and his charge will have to start from the second tier after drawing post eight.
“This week we’ll have to follow along and hope he stays trotting," said the 33-year-old conditioner, who went on to comment on his chances in the final, and made a rather bold statement.
“I personally think it’s a two-horse race,” Auciello offered, noting “it’s all going to come down to trip. When you start from the second tier, that’s two-fifths of a second better that he needs to be. On paper, I think he is at least two-fifths better, but anything can happen. As a young trotter, I just have to hope he behaves himself.”
We’ll see how Auciello’s predictions play out Saturday night in race 10 at Hanover Raceway.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Saturday Entries - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)