Willyconker Shoots for the Moon
Trainer Eric Guillot shoots for the moon next Saturday. The Louisiana native plans to enter former Grade I winner and current claiming horse Willyconker, who has made 30 of his 34 career starts on grass, in the Grade II San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.
Among those expected to line up against the 7-year-old Irish-bred gelding are none other than two of the West’s premier handicap stars, Blueskiesnrainbows and Game On Dude.
Willyconker won the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile in 2012 when trained by Doug O’Neill. In 34 lifetime starts, Willyconker has won 10 times, been second four, third three and earned $504,010.
“The Arcadia (run yesterday at one mile on turf) was too short; he needs to go a little bit further,” Guillot said. “Nobody seems to want to take on Game On Dude, and if I run my horse for fifty ($50,000 claiming), he’s going to win and he’s gonna be gone.
“So I’ll have done all this work since I claimed him (for $62,500 last May) for nothing. This way, if I run third in a race worth $300,000, he’ll get $36,000. If I run second, that’s $60,000. And if I win, I’ll look like a hero.”
Sounds like a plan.