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Dutrow over the moon about Boys At Tosconova

Posted: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 3:13 PM

by Jeff Lowe 

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. has an undefeated new acquisition, Trickmeister, on course for the Travers Stakes (G1), but he said the three-year-old stakes winner was no match for a two-year-old stablemate as they worked six furlongs in company on Tuesday at Saratoga Race Course.

Dutrow said he was satisfied with Trickmeister, whom IEAH Stables bought in a private deal after a victory in the Barbaro Stakes on July 10 at Delaware Park, and he absolutely raved about Boys At Tosconova, who is slated for the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (G1) on September 6 at Saratoga Race Course.

Clockers timed Boys At Tosconova in 1:12.54 and Trickmeister in 1:12.76.

“It seemed like ‘Boys’ had him in his pocket the whole way around there,” Dutrow said. “They both worked good. We’re just under the impression that Boys At Tosconova is a really, really good one. Trickmeister went good, but he just couldn’t seem to hang with ‘Boys.’ … It’s not surprising to me.”

Dutrow admitted that he “can’t stop talking” about the Officer colt, who won a five-furlong maiden special weight race by 12 lengths on July 2 at Belmont Park.

Dutrow said he gave a strong recommendation when owner Jay Em Ess Stable purchased Boys At Tosconova privately following a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes (G3) on April 30 at Churchill Downs in his debut.

“As soon as I saw him, I knew we had to have him,” Dutrow said. “We got lucky to have him in our stable, and since he’s been there, he’s just been a real pleasure and very exciting. I cannot wait to watch him run again. He’s got me, I’ll tell you that.”

Dutrow said several riders who have been on Boys At Tosconova feel the same way, including jockeys Ramon Dominguez and Joe Bravo and exercise rider Michelle Nevin, who was the regular morning partner for dual classic winner Big Brown.  

“We had Bravo breeze him at Monmouth, and when he got off him, he called me and he said, ‘Rick, I’ve never breezed a baby like that,’ ” Dutrow said. “Dominguez breezed him at Belmont and he didn’t even know what to say, and when Ramon rode him [in the maiden race], and what I saw turning home, it took our breath away. … We’re speechless for the things he does in the morning, and the laid-back attitude. He’s got a lot of Big Brown in him with his attitude and the way he doesn’t let anything bother him.

“With what I saw this morning, I know I’m not doing anything stupid by pointing him to the Hopeful, just from what I saw this morning, never mind what’s he’s been doing. He’s just a cool little guy and who knows what he’s going to do in his next start.”

Big Brown made his only juvenile start for a different trainer, Pat Reynolds. Dutrow said Boys At Tosconova’s Belmont maiden race was the most impressive performance of any two-year-old he has ever started.

“By far and away,” he said.

Dutrow said Grade 1 winner Rail Trip, another newcomer to his barn, displayed signs of a hind foot issue on Tuesday morning, putting plans for his first East Coast start on hold. Jay Em Ess sent the Jump Start gelding to Dutrow after he finished second in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (G1) for trainer Ron Ellis on July 10. 

“I think we’re dealing with a foot issue or two,” Dutrow said. “I think he may have stepped on a rock this morning. He came back kind of favoring his right hind, and he had kind of a pounding pulse on his back foot, so I’m thinking he just stepped on a rock. He cooled out fine, but something is irritating him back there. We’re going to work on it today and see how he is tomorrow. He is not real smooth yet, and I need to have him really smooth to be running against the kind of horses he’s going to have to beat in these big races. He’s very, very close to that, so we’ll have to see how he gets over this little thing.”

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer