One of the most impressive two-year-old pacers to emerge from this summer's freshman crop is Bob McIntosh trainee Nebupanezzar.
In six career starts he has chalked up five wins, each more commanding than the last. And now, the son of No Pan Intended is poised to become the dominating force in the field for the $1 million Metro Pace, coming up this Saturday night at Mohawk.
The precocious pacer has now captured two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold finals and is far and away the leader in the 2008 standings for his division, with 200 Gold points and $160,000 earned. And having won his Metro Pace elimination by two and a quarter lengths in 1:51.4, Nebupanezzar's connections had the luxury of drawing their post position for the final, positioning their emerging star in the 'sweet spot' two hole.
Nebupanezzar – Metro Pace elim
Regular pilot Steve Condren will be in the bike to guide the full brother to The Mohegan Pan, who like his sibling is owned and bred by the Peter Pan Stables of Pepper Pike, Ohio.
"He's definitely a high-speed horse," says McIntosh. "He's got a deep tank. If he has a fault it's that he's a little keen. I'd like to see him relax a little more. I'm planning some equipment changes with him, but I'm not going to do them this week with a million dollars at stake.
"He came out of his last race real good, and he's had a good week so far. We've managed to keep him clear of any sickness, so I'm feeling pretty confident about him. But for a million dollars you never know how the race is going to go once the gate folds."
McIntosh says the routine with Nebupanezzar puts the emphasis on relaxation. "He jogs with his head down and no hobbles, to keep him relaxed. And Steve will keep him just a little off the gate on Saturday night, which seems to help."
The O'Brien Award-winning trainer isn't willing to make predictions for the outcome of the Metro Pace, but he expects his colt to "work his way to the front" from off the pace.
"I was happy to see last week when Steve touched him with the whip that he had more in there, that he can dig deep," he says. "However it turns out, it's going to be a great night of racing. We're just keeping Nebupanezzar healthy and hoping for the best."
(WEG)