A star on the rise, Riker, in command throughout, will look to make his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after wiring the $150,000 Grade 3 Grey Stakes on Sunday, at Woodbine.
Trained by Nick Gonzalez for owner Tucci Stables, the dark bay son of Include-Desviacion, remained undefeated through four starts with an impressive performance around two turns in the 1 1/16-mile ‘Poly’ stake for juveniles.
The colt’s next start could come in the Grade 1 $2-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, slated for October 31 at Keeneland Racecourse, in Kentucky.
“That will be our plan now. We’ll see how he comes out of the race, but we’re dreaming the dream,” said Gonzalez.
Sent to post as the even-money favourite, Riker, with Jesse Campbell up, opened up a four-length lead in the opening quarter-mile and took the compact five-horse field through splits of :24.18, :48.92 and 1:14.29.
Kasseopia, an impressive maiden winner at Kempton in England, broke outward but was keen to stalk Riker’s early foot, chasing the leader through the final turn and stayed on determinedly to the wire, as Riker, under light handling, kept on for a 1 1/2-length score. Kasseopia settled for place, 1 1/2-lengths in front of Tizzarunner. Riker covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:44.31, more than a second faster than the 1:45.62 posted by filly Gamble’s Ghost earlier on the card in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes.
Riker has yet to put a foot wrong over the Woodbine ‘Poly’ winning his five furlong debut by a 1/2-length over Conquest Nitro en route to another 1/2-length score in the six furlong Colin Stakes over well-regarded The Zip Zip Man. Last time out, Riker stretched out to seven furlongs with a prominent 2 1/2-length score over Tizzarunner.
Campbell, aboard for all four scores, continues to be impressed by the improving dark bay.
“I wanted to be in front and it worked out that way. He was very relaxed going into the first turn and at about seven-eighths he grabbed me pretty good. It wasn’t rank, he just surprised me a bit…he was ready to run today,” said Campbell.
The veteran conditioner was pleased with Riker’s effort travelling two-turns for the first time.
“I was really happy. Jesse and I weren’t surprised. He’s always galloped out well after his races. He worked out in :59 and change (:59.80 on September 24) and he galloped out very strong after that,” said Gonzalez. “He’s always showed lots of stamina in the morning. We give him lots of two-mile gallops and he takes it like it’s nothing. He’s growing from a boy to a man.”
Riker, bred in Kentucky by Turner Breeders, banked $90,000 in victory while remaining undefeated through four starts.
He paid $4 and $2.30, combining with Kasseopia ($3.50) for a $13.80 (4-6) exactor. A 4-6-1 triactor (Tizzarunner) was worth $18.90. Ultraflame was scratched.
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