It's not often that a horse shows up for a meet and greet at a racetrack ahead of a stakes race. But then again, not every horse is Foiled Again.
The 12-year-old warhorse, who advanced to the 2016 Sobeys Gold Cup & Saucer after a fourth-place finish in his elim, is receiving the red carpet treatment on Prince Edward Island. He was cheered for his warm up mile on Saturday night, a respectful display of admiration and Island hospitality from those trackside.
"There's never been a horse like Foiled Again before," Kent Oakes, past chair of Standardbred Canada's Board of Directors told CBC. "He's a warrior...a remarkable equine athlete," whose presence in the prestigious Island event is, according to Oakes, "a pleasure and a privilege" for those involved.
"It's like having Wayne Gretzky in your dressing room," said Darren Trainor, host for the Burke Stable's two Gold Cup & Saucer horses -- Foiled Again and Limelight Beach. "He's nerve-wrecking to have around, we're always checking on him."
Foiled Again will make an appearance on Thursday (August 18) at Red Shores' Charlottetown facility for a special meet and greet beside the trackside beer tent at 1:30 p.m.
Marc Campbell had the choice of both Burke horses for the final; he's sticking with Foiled Again, and relinquishing the drive on Limelight Beach -- who oddsmakers have listed as the 5-2 favourite. Island native Anthony MacDonald picks up the live catch drive on the 2014 Little Brown Jug winner.
$60,000 Sobeys Gold Cup & Saucer
Post/Horse/Driver/Odds)
1. Go Daddy Go (Brad Forward - 3-1)
2. Paparazzi Hanover (Travis Cullen - 12-1)
3. Ys Lotus (Louis Philippe Roy - 7-2)
4. Foiled Again (Marc Campbell - 10-1)
5. DGs Camme (Gilles Barrieau - 6-1)
6. Limelight Beach (Anthony MacDonald - 5-2)
7. Alexas Jackpot (Jody Jamieson - 4-1)
8. Shades Of Bay (Corey MacPherson - 8-1)