Run Away and Hide’s Are You Kidding Me notched the ninth Graded stakes win of his illustrious career on June 30, proving best in the Dominion Day Stakes (G3) at Woodbine.
The 9-year-old horse out of Sweet Awakening, by Street Cry (IRE), raced in fourth position early in the 1 ¼-mile marathon. He forged to the front in the stretch and fended off Special Forces late to prevail by a half-length under Rafael Hernandez for trainer Roger Attfield.
“He’s an old, classy dude,” said Hernandez. “He knows what he’s doing, he knows how to win races and he showed up today. He showed what he could do. He’s always got something left in the tank.”
Are You Kidding Me races for the partnership of Mike Riordan, Ron Kirk and John Bates. He was Canada’s Champion Older Male in 2015 and 2016 and the Dominion Day was his first victory at the 1 ¼-mile distance.
All told, Are You Kidding Me, his sire’s leading earner, has won 13 of 45 career starts, including nine Graded stakes, and has earned $1,317,102 in his stellar career.