Kevin Attard High On Jammin Still in Grey Stakes

Jammin Still, a 2-year-old son of Take Charge Indy, will look to build off an impressive career bow, this time in the $125,000 Grey Stakes (G3) Oct. 21 at Woodbine.

Owned by Derek Chin and trained by Kevin Attard, the Ontario-bred colt made his presence known in his first start Sept. 28, in a one-mile race over the Toronto oval's E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

And while the 18-1 odds suggested he had an outside shot at winning first time out, a smart ride by Alan Garcia and nice turn of foot by Jammin Still resulted in a 1 1/2-length triumph under a hand ride, and a $38.90 payout on a $2 win wager.

Attard was impressed, but not surprised by the strong debut, one that started off slowly, literally, but ended with a walk to the winner's circle.

"We thought pretty highly of him," the conditioner said. "He was training well and had some good works. We saw the progression and it looked to me that he was developing into a nice horse. Obviously, this is a tougher task, but I think he's up for the challenge."

Jammin Still will now step into the stakes spotlight, taking on seven rivals in the 1 1/16-mile main track Grey Stakes.

Bred by William Graham, the dark bay rolls into Sunday's engagement in fine fettle. Jammin Still breezed five furlongs in 1:01 flat Oct. 14 over the Woodbine Tapeta. 

"He's a pretty laid-back horse and he's got the right attitude to be a good horse," Attard said. "He has that mental approach to be successful at a high level. I think he's going to be pretty nice and the fact he's a Canadian-bred makes it a little more exciting.

"At the barn, he's quiet and nonchalant. He's a good boy, for a colt. You wouldn't even know he's a colt. He's developing and he still has some growing to do, some filling out."

Attard and Chin are hoping there are even bigger days ahead for their young horse.

"I was just happy that he ran to the way we were expecting," Attard recalled. "I told Derek prior to the race that this is his best 2-year-old and I think he's going to be special. Hopefully, he'll have a nice transition from 2 to 3.

"Derek, he's a big supporter of Woodbine. He loves the racing here. He's well respected in Trinidad and when his horses run at Woodbine, he's got the whole country cheering for him. He's looking to be successful in racing here and he's spending the money to buy good, quality horses."

Last year, Archaggelos, under Rafael Hernandez, won the Grey Stakes.

Notable winners of the Grey include Horometer (1933), Kennedy Road (1970), Sunny's Halo (1982), and Sky Classic (1989). Dancer's Image won the 1967 running and went on to take the following year's Kentucky Derby, as did Mine That Bird in 2008-09. 

Sunday is Woodbine's second annual 'Grey Day' with the $50,000 running of the Grey Handicap following the stakes race and featuring a striking lineup of gray and roan horses. Those in attendance can enter for a chance to receive a $1,000 win bet for the Grey Handicap by registering with guest experience representatives in the Grandstand Sunday.