Rare Meadows start Saturday for Foiled Again
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"It's harder for him to get going now," Burke said. "When you give him a break, it's harder for him to find everything. We wanted to give him a chance against horses that are different than those he usually races against."
But Saturday's Preferred features some tough customers, including Unlocked from the Norm Parker stable, who's already won more than $76,000 this year; Dapper Dude, a recent acquisition by Renee Bercury who captured his first start for his new connections, and Brian Brown's Lost For Words, deprived of the 2015 Little Brown Jug title by the dramatic, improbable stretch drive of Wiggle it Jiggleit.
"The race came up tougher than I'd hoped. It looks like it will take 1:49 to win," Burke said. "But in the last couple weeks, he's looked more like himself. Saturday will be a little reminder of the horse he can be."
He said Foiled Again would be pointed to the June 19 Roll With Joe at Tioga Downs if he performs well Saturday and has a full stakes schedule thereafter.
"I think this year, he'll have to race more just to get in shape," Burke said. "He'll probably race 25 times, maybe even a start or two more than that. He trained at The Meadows on Wednesday and couldn't have been better."
In the Bye Bye Byrd, Burke will send out six horses — three in each division. He considers Check Six, winner of all four of his starts and $328,443 this year, his best shot.
"All six are very competitive, but he looks like our premier colt," Burke said. "If we're to win any big races this year, it will have to be with him."
Check Six leaves from post 6 with Gingras in race 8. (The Meadows)