Rookies look to make a splash in Saturday’s Coronation Futurity
At 1h18, on November 30, 2024 • By Chris Lomon, Woodbine
Ashley’s Archer, a son of Karakontie (JPN) out of the Distorted Humor mare Certainly Special, takes on 10 rivals in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes, part of a Saturday Woodbine card that also features the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
The 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity, a main track event for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds, is a significant race on the road to the 166th running of The King’s Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
Trained by dual hall of famer Mark Casse, Ashley’s Archer has endured a rollercoaster start to his career.
In his debut on Aug. 18, in a seven-furlong race originally scheduled for the turf, he was jostled between horses at the break and wound up ninth of 10.
“We’re skeptical as to whether he likes the Tapeta,” said Casse. “It was a sprint, and he didn’t run very well. He got bumped around at the start and we rushed him into it a little bit.”
On Sept. 15, Ashley’s Archer struck front early in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race over the E.P. Taylor turf and was strong throughout en route to a 3 ½-length score to break his maiden.
Back at the same distance and same course for the $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes on Oct. 6., the bay rallied to record a nose victory but was subsequently disqualified and relegated to fifth after an inquiry.
His connections then turned their attention to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, but Ashley’s Archer failed to draw in.
It was the same scenario on Nov. 8 at Churchill, when he didn’t draw in off the also-eligible list for a 1 1/16-mile turf race.
“He ran a huge race in the Cup & Saucer and then he ended up getting DQ’d,” said Casse. “I never did send him to California. We nominated him, but we knew we weren’t going to get in, so we sent him to Kentucky, and then he didn’t get in there. Now he is back in Toronto – he’s done some travelling.”
Casse, who has won three editions of the Coronation Futurity, most recently with King and His Court in 2016, is eager to see if his rookie has the potential to be a King’s Plate hopeful.
“We want to find out now if he can be that horse. I don’t want to sit here and then be in April or May, wondering if she would try this horse on the Tapeta. That is why he is here. Like I have said a million times, training horses is like putting a puzzle together – you have to keep trying the pieces.”
Perfect fit or not, Casse will know more about Ashley’s Archer after this weekend.
