Eclipse Stakes Runners Clash in Nijinsky

Are You Kidding Me will tote high weight of 123 pounds in the Nijinsky. Now a 5-year-old, Are You Kidding Me has run two very good races this season, running third off a five-month layoff in the San Francisco Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Golden Gate Fields before winning the Eclipse Stakes (gr. II) over the Polytrack at Woodbine from a stalking position. 

 

Excaper, who will be making his 16th start on the Woodbine lawn, ran evenly to be fourth in the King Edward Stakes (gr. IIT) last out after a fourth in the Connaught Cup (gr. IIT), both at Woodbine. He has the speed to sit close to the pace and the class to be a major threat.

 

Za Approval was third behind Are You Kidding Me in the Eclipse as the favorite. The 7-year-old has won in graded stakes company over the past few years, but hasn't entered the winner's circle in almost a year. His Race to Win finished fifth in the Eclipse and won the Seagram Cup Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Woodbine last summer. He does his best running from off the pace and could get the job done here.

 

Lucky Speed, a German import making his first North American start, has a German group I victory in his column, but that was two years ago and he hasn't started in 10 months. Letro is another German debuting in North America. He put together a five-race win streak last year in minor events, but needs to regain that form.

 

Avie's Quality was fourth in the Eclipse, coming off an allowance/optional claiming victory, both over the Woodbine Polytrack. Golden Sabre won an allowance/optional claimer in his first 2015 start in June and the late runner has some back class.

 

Platinum Glory got up for second in the King Edward and has hit the board in his last five races. Interpol will be forwardly-placed from the outside gate and has run well over this course, with two wins and a pair of seconds in six tries.