With a flawless five-for-five record thanks in part to his Dream Maker Pacing Series sweep at Mohawk Racetrack, the Dr. Ian Moore-trained Malicious looks to be a freshman force to be reckoned with as the lucrative Metro Pace approaches
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The Bettors Delight-Silky colt was purchased for $45,000 at the Harrisburg Sale in Pennsylvania by Moore and his partners R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, N.B. and Serge Savard of Saint-Bruno, Que. Malicious made his career debut a winning one in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on July 2 before heading to Ontario where he subsequently won a two-year-old conditioner and swept the three-leg Dream Maker Pacing Series with a 1:52.2 front-end effort in the final this past Monday.
Malicious - Dream Maker Pacing Series Final
“He’s right on his toes,” driver Paul MacDonell told Trot Insider. “I’ve had him four starts - I guess he’s had one or two in Prince Edward Island - but he’s progressing just the way he should be and he’s headed for the Metro. That’s his big game.”
"Both he and [stablemate and Battle of Waterloo winner] Wellthereyougo were great training down,” said Moore. “Their strong suit was their attitude. Malicious is a very smart horse with a nice stature and he's still developing.”
“He’s right on schedule,” adds MacDonell. “We can’t ask for anything more than what he’s done. Anytime we’ve asked him to step it up a notch he has. He’s as good as anything I’ve seen in Canada.”
Moore says the plan for Malicious is to do some jogging next week and prep for the Nassagaweya Stakes on August 22 at the Campbellville oval before heading into the Metro eliminations, which are set for August 29. The Governor’s Cup at Chester remains a possibility down the road too, adds Moore.
“I'd like to give him a week off, but he's an aggressive and good-feeling colt so we're not sure. We're trying to give him a break since he's raced basically six straight weeks including the qualifier. He won't be headed to the NYSS event so that's good news for them I guess."
While Moore has a developing confidence in his colt, he is also convinced teamster MacDonell has the aptitude to handle his pupil on track.
"Paul MacDonell is a great driver on a two-year-old. He'll never hurt your horse and that's important with the young ones."