Are You Kidding Me Rides Rail to Autumn Win

Are You Kidding Me turned the tables on several familiar rivals Nov. 8 at Woodbine, riding the rail to win the $200,000 Autumn Stakes (Can-II).



Under the guidance of jockey Alan Garcia, the 5-year-old son of Run Away and Hide   found space inside and surged past 2-1 favorite Lukes Alley late to win by a half-length in the 1 1/16-mile test on the all-weather main track.



Are You Kidding Me stalked in fourth, 2 1/2 lengths back through much of the race, while 16-1 longshot Royal Son set fractions of :25.03, :49.33, and 1:13.01 through six furlongs. Lukes Alley took command briefly in the stretch after a wide closing move from fifth, but could not outfinish Are You Kidding Me, who hit the wire in 1:43.41. Royal Son finished a game third, 1 1/4-lengths behind Lukes Alley.



"We were behind the speed, comfortable, and saved some ground in the end," Garcia said. "When it opened up, my horse wanted to go on."



Lukes Alley had previously finished ahead of Are You Kidding Me in the Durham Cup (Can-III), a race won by Golden Sabre, who came in seventh in the Autumn. Recent winner Florida Won, who defeated Are You Kidding Me in the Presque Isle Mile Stakes Sept. 6, checked in eighth in the Autumn.



"He's a very genuine horse and he's had a couple of rough-ish trips," winning trainer Roger Attfield said. "He trained really well to the race, and I knew if he got the (trip), he'd be very tough."



Are You Kidding Me paid $13.90, $5.50, and $3.80 across the board. Lukes Alley brought $3.40 and $2.90, while Royal Son delivered $9.30 to show.



Bred in Kentucky, out of the Street Cry mare Sweet Awakening, Are You Kidding Me has a 6-3-6 record from 24 starts and $661,566 in earnings for owner/breeders Ronald Kirk, John Bates, and Michael Riordan.