V75® (Saturday/jackpot): Jerry thinks Far Wise As could go far
He has a golden pedigree and is off to a promising start to his racing career.
On Saturday, Jerry Riordan's promising trotting colt Far Wise As stands upon his biggest challenge yet in his young career.
"It takes more to compare him to Lisa America and Ringostarr Treb, but he is on the right path".
When V75 comes to Gävle this Saturday, the spotlight is on the 3-year-olds.
The E3 finals over the sprint distance are on the card at the fast racetrack.
A 3-year-old who has already shown extraordinary speed is 3 Far Wise As (V75-3), who is chasing the first prize of SEK 1 million in the open class.
The talented colt has a pedigree that few can match. The sire is the two-time Prix d'Amerique champion Face Time Bourbon and the dame Temple Blue Chip is also the dame of Crown Wise As and the iconic Italian trotter Vivid Wise As, with over SEK 40 million in earnings.
Far Wise As won the second Breeders Course final easily in his last start, on the night of the Hugo Åbergs Memorial at Jägersro.
"All is well with him after that start. We were a bit worried after the start at the Elitlopp weekend, we knew there was something wrong with him that day. It made us a bit worried since he was sick once as a 2-year-old too, and sometimes horses can have those tendencies. But I think it was just immaturity and he has been perfect in two starts after that and he acts just like a good horse should and he also has a pedigree that makes you believe in him", says trainer Jerry Riordan.
Has all the right pieces
Far Wise As has four wins and three second-places in eight starts, so far in his young career.
The only miscue was in the previously mentioned start in the 3-year-old elite at the Solvalla Elitlopp weekend. After that, the horse has been perfect. In his most recent start at Jägersro, he was able to set the fractions in the lead.
"He was good, but you never know what could have happened if many of the other good horses had stayed flat; it seemed like every time someone tried to make a move, they made a break. Anyway, we were pleased with him and I think he will be even better on Saturday. He came out of the race well. He hadn't raced for a while before the elimination, two starts ago, which turned out to be pretty tough and sometimes they can go backward from that. But, as I said, the way he feels in training now, he is definitely on the right path".
In his last start he raced barefoot, will he do so again?
"That was the first time, but he's also a horse who is so well-balanced naturally, that it doesn't make a big difference. But his feet are good, and he drew well so we will race him barefoot again".
You once said Far Wise As could be the best horse you have ever trained. Big words?
"Well, someone else actually said that...But yes, he's a very good horse. He is sound and stable, has the right attitude, and makes things easier for us. I can tell you that he has all the right pieces to become a great horse, this horse has an old soul, it feels like he is older than he is, he understands what his job is and he's incredibly smart. It's a pleasure being a trainer with a horse like that. Then, of course, he has to show more than winning that last race before I start comparing him to horses like Lisa American and Ringostarr Treb, but he's on the right path even if it's a long way to go".
The lead is a good spot
So, the E3 final this Saturday is up next.
Far Wise As with, as in most of his starts, Johan Untersteiner in the sulky, drew post three behind the gate but faces tough horses, of course.
"We will make the trip up on Friday night, as we always do when it's a long trip like Gävle", says Jerry and adds:
"He is quick out of the gate and drew well. Now, I know that Daniel Wäjersten has three horses in the race and they have all impressed me, but I hope that he can leave fast and get the lead. It's a good position to be in, at a fast track like Gävle in particular, and especially if we get there without having to go too hard the first 500 meters":
He should have a good chance to win again, then?
"I have to believe in him. He has shown that he's that type of horse. I mean, in the race that he won before the Solvalla start, he came home in 1:08-speed the last 500 meters from the lead, so he has shown that he has the speed needed".
The horse was born in Italy, so the Swedish Kriterium, for example, is not a race he is eligible for. What are the plans going forward for him?
"An Italian guy owns half of him and a Norwegian guy owns the other half. The Italian owner wants to see him in the Italian Derby in October and it's a rich race this year, so it looks like we're headed that way. But we'll make the Saturday start first, then we will see what happens after that".