Paulick Report – by Natalie Voss | 09.15.2018
Catherine Day Phillips has the chance to pick up her first Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on Saturday, but the trainer remained cool as a cucumber Friday, despite getting home from the Keeneland September Sale a few hours before.
“Every race is a big race, to be honest,” she said. “Every race we run in, a lot goes into it and it’s the same with the Mile, obviously. I’ve had a lot of pressure-filled moments and I just focus on our job to get him there the best we can. Having said that, I’ve had about three hours’ sleep.”
Mr Havercamp, who is a homebred for owners Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, comes to the Mile from a win in the G2 Play The King, one of the four races which make up a perfect record on the Woodbine turf course. Day Phillips has seen steady improvement from the gelding, who didn’t launch his career until July of last year.
“I think he’s a Grade 1 horse, but might as well let him find out in his own territory,” she said. “If not, there are plenty of other things he can do, but might as well give him the chance.”
© 2016 Catherine Day Phillips Racing Stable
