With trainer Dave Menary’s Triple Crown aspirations, Hes Watching has his work cut out for him in the upcoming stakes schedule.
The son of American Ideal is headed into the Cane Pace on September 1 at the top of his game, after a blistering 1:46.4 mile in the Meadowlands Pace and Empire Breeders Classic victories over Tioga Downs since.
On a three-week break leading up to the Cane Pace, the ‘little colt that could’ showed up in a big way at Mohawk Racetrack yesterday morning (Monday, August 25) to train. Hes Watching will go one more trip before the Cane Pace, but will be mostly taking it easy in preparation for the first leg of the Triple Crown of Pacing.
“He didn’t train too fast, but I was really happy with him. He’s feeling really good right now,” said Menary.
The 60th Cane Pace features a field of eight headed straight to the final with no eliminations. Among those eight are Hes Watching, Luck Be Withyou and Lyonssomewhere who paid the $35,000 supplement fee to enter.
“I was surprised to see so many supplements; I knew there would be one for sure! Everyone wants a shot.”
With no eliminations, there is added pressure coming into Monday’s race (September 1). There is no room for error or surprise at this level of racing with a strong field of contenders.
“Hopefully there’s no errors any week, much less this week. If we get a decent draw, that will help and the cards will fall where they may.”
Northfield Park played host to a group of elite pacing colts in the Carl Milstein Memorial Pace on August 15, among them were Luck Be Withyou and Stevensville, who will head to the Cane next. Luck Be Withyou finished in a dead heat for second with trainer Casie Coleman’s McWicked in 1:50.4. The duo was just edged out by All Bets Off from the Burke Stable.
Trainer Bill Cass commented on Luck Be Withyou’s performance, saying he wasn’t firing at 100 per cent in his race at Northfield. Cass stated that the colt is “…good to go now, he’s feeling great and if that continues, I think he’s unbeatable.”
The field also includes North America Cup winner JK Endofanera, among other strong contenders looking to capture their share of the $437,325 purse.
Menary isn’t too worried; he has faith in Hes Watching.
“At Northfield, it was a big mile. Luck Be Withyou went a big trip. I don’t know if he handled the half mile very well, but his effort was very game. It should be a good race with a strong field.”
After the Cane Pace, Hes Watching will be looking next to the Little Brown Jug, the second jewel in the Triple Crown. For now, he and Menary are focused on the big day at Tioga.
“I’m just hoping for a good draw, a good race and a good day. He’s a very special horse.”
The field for the 2014 Cane Pace is listed below in alphabetical order:
Beat The Drum
Bushwacker
Doo Wop Hanover
Hes Watching
JK Endofanera
Luck Be Withyou
Lyonssomewhere
Stevensville
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Hannah Beckett)