Gillis On His Cup ‘Warrior’

Although Jeff Gillis experienced the excitement surrounding the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup first hand back in 2008 as a part-owner of millionaire Santanna Blue Chip, who finished third

to the great Somebeachsomewhere, this year he will send out his first starter as a trainer.

Twin B Warrior is one of 30 three-year-old pacing colts entered in this Saturday’s Cup eliminations for the 32-year-old conditioner from Hillsburg, ON.

As a freshman, Twin B Warrior won three of his four starts in Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots competition, including his divisional Championship, which boosted his bankroll to $83,000.

After wintering at owner Mac Nichol’s Ideal Training Center, Twin B Warrior finished second by less than a length when he made his 2010 debut in the Bud Light Stakes at Flamboro Downs on May 14. The son of Apaches Fame-What An Attitude won his Upper Canada Cup elimination the following Saturday at Georgian Downs in a career-best 1:51.1, but then gave way to a hard-closing Haul Away in the final.

Just last week, Twin B Warrior headed to Mohawk Racetrack and added another second place finish to his record, following Kyle Major under the wire in his Burlington Stake division (individually timed in 1:50.2 with a :26.2 final frame). The steady sophomore has picked up $165,042 in earnings so far this year and will look to cash his biggest check yet in the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup following this week’s eliminations. He has been assessed at odds of 38-1 in Trot Magazine’s 2010 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.

“To be truthful, when we first got him I wouldn't have expected him to turn out to be like this,” admitted Gillis. “So yes, he's been an overachiever in that sense. But I think Mac [owner Nichol] bought him with a certain expectation. He paid $82,000 for an Apaches Fame, so he had to have some expectation of him.”

When asked what his expectations were for the bay gelding going into the Burlington, Gillis admitted he didn’t have any. “When the draw came out and we had the nine hole in a tough division with some tough colts inside of us, I kind of felt like we'd find the fence and hope to pace home strong and give a good account of himself. Randy [driver Waples] saw an opportunity when they weren't leaving that much and we were thrilled with his performance.”

Following Saturday’s stake, Gillis said Twin B Warrior was given a day of rest on Sunday before his prep routine began for the Cup eliminations.

“He jogged on Monday and Tuesday,” explained Gillis. “I'll go a training mile somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2:15 with him on Wednesday in the jog cart, and then jog him again on Thursday and Friday.”

In terms of equipment adjustments, Gillis noted that he is experimenting with the gelding’s driving bit. “He's shown glimpses of aggressiveness and we're trying to manage that a little bit.”

Twin B Warrior will hit the track in the second of three $50,000 Cup eliminations (Race 9, post time 9:36 p.m.) this Saturday at Mohawk with Randy Waples in the bike. He has drawn Post 3 while the likely morning line favourite, 2009 Breeders Crown champion and this year’s New Jersey Classic runner-up All Speed Hanover, will leave from Post 5 with driver Ron Pierce for trainer Mike Vanderkemp.

“Obviously All Speed Hanover [should finish in the top three]. I've heard that Fred And Ginger is pretty good even though I haven't seen him and Haul Away beat us in the Upper Canada. But I think all things being equal, I like our chances to beat Haul Away straight up.

“I'd like to see him [Twin B Warrior] get away mid-pack and stalk from second over. I think that would be his preferred trip.”

Looking across all three elims, Gillis noted that there are a lot of quality colts in this year’s glamour boy division.

“Ideal Matters looked great in the Burlington and we really don't know whatever happened with Rock N Roll Heaven. We didn't get to see what he was all about, and even Sportswriter can rebound. Kyle Major was very good in the Burlington, too. Woodstock or One More Laugh aren't colts I know a lot about, but obviously they're quality colts. There aren't any standouts this year, not like a Somebeachsomewhere or a dominant horse in past editions.”

To view the fields for the 2010 Pepsi North America Cup elims, click here.