Knows Nothing and Prestidigitator are mere hours away from lining up behind the starting gate in the $1.5 million Hambletonian at The Meadowlands, and Trot Insider had a chance to talk to the connections of the Ontario-based trotters.
Trainer Jeff Gillis, who watched Knows Nothing capture last week’s Hambletonian elimination in 1:53.1, is pleased with the way his colt has acclimated to his new digs.
"He came down for the eliminations a week ago Wednesday, so 10 days ago,” said Gillis. “He's been at the Mark Ford Training Center since then. He shipped in for retention, he's had a good week, and we've got our fingers crossed.
“He's fine; nothing really fazed him last week,” Gillis added. “It's pretty hot today, that's an unknown to us. He's never raced on a day like today. By all signs he appears to be healthy, on good form, feeling good. No excuses."
Prestidigitator, who was a fast-closing third in his Hambletonian elimination one week ago, has also settled in nicely to his new surroundings for trainer Dustin Jones.
"He shipped last week before the eliminations,” said Jones. “He stayed here all week.
“This horse sleeps in the paddock,” Jones added. “He sleeps in between when he eats. I didn't train him this week. I just jogged him because he went such a tough mile last week. He ate all of his breakfast, and then we fed him lunch in the retention barn and cleaned it all up.”