Finnegans Wake Looks for Back-to-Back G1 Wins in Manhattan

If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

That was the sentiment from Peter Miller, the trainer of Grade 1, $1 million Knob Creek Manhattan contender Finnegans Wake.

"Everything is on schedule and we are good to go and will ship on Wednesday," Miller said from his base at San Luis Rey Training Center in Southern California. "He'll have the same rider and there will be no changes at this stage of the game."

That rider is Victor Espinoza, who has been partnered with Finnegans Wake for his last five races. The pair won four out of the quintet, which were Grade 1 or Grade 2 races, and their most recent victory in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day solidified the horse's reputation as the top turf male on the West Coast and Midwest, and arguably the country, as they head into Saturday's Manhattan.

"He's at the top of his game, no question. This is his best moment," Miller said of the 6-year-old son of Powerscourt, who has won seven of 29 starts and bankrolled more than $1.4 million in earnings.

Later in the day on Saturday, Espinoza will ride American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes as they attempt to win the Triple Crown.

In related news, trainer Mark Casse reported on Monday afternoon that John Oxley's Sky Captain, who finished second by a head to Finnegans Wake in the Turf Classic before being disqualified for drifting out and placed fourth, has been withdrawn from the Manhattan.

Source: NYRA