‘Truckin’ Into Summer

[Wandering Eyes]

Keep on Truckin (Society’s Chairman) attempts to keep his unbeaten streak intact with a victory in Woodbine’s GI Summer S., a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

An impressive 11 3/4-length winner in a five-furlong race at Woodbine July 7, Keep On Truckin aired by 7 3/4 lengths in the

5 1/2-panel Clarendon S. against fellow Ontario breds Aug. 3

“We had high expectations going into his first start, but watching him in post parade, when he dropped his rider [Eurico Rosa da Silva], we were shocked because he has always been such a composed horse,” explained trainer Catherine Day Phillips. “To continue the excitement, ‘Truckin’ went into the gate and moments later, Eurico came flying out the back. Despite his performances, we remind ourselves he’s still a 2-year-old, and he’s bound to make mistakes.”

An injured Emma-Jane Wilson, who was aboard for the gelding’s latest start, will miss the ride, but Eurico Rosa Da Dilva, who was aboard for the chestnut’s debut, will ride.

“On Sunday [Sept. 8], Emma-Jayne was hurt riding one of our horses,” explained Day Phillips. “She broke her clavicle and a couple of fingers. The irony of ironies is that now that Emma can’t ride him, Eurico is available to ride him. Bizarre is the best word. Eurico came in [Monday morning] to breeze Keep On Truckin. The breeze went very well and Eurico was delighted to be back on him. There’s no way I ever would have predicted all of this to happen.”

Proven Strategies (Sky Mesa) is one of three juveniles entered in Sunday’s race. Also entered are Cucina (Northern Afleet) and Secret Stash (Ire) (Mukadram {GB}), who is cross-entered in the GI Natalma S. later in the card. Proven Strategies was fifth in his career debut going 5 ½ furlongs on the synthetic June 29 before finishing in the same spot–beaten only two lengths–while stretching to 8 ½ furlongs on the Saratoga turf July 27. Well meant in the 5 1/2-furlong Skidmore S. Aug. 16, the dark bay had to settle for second behind fellow DJ Stable runner Another Miracle (American Pharoah).

Todd Pletcher is represented by Phoenix Thoroughbred III’s Mystic Lancelot (Into Mischief), who took his debut by three lengths going 5 ½ furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 15. John Velazquez, in tow that day, gets back on board this time.

 

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