Wilko Set for Futurity, Impressed Dollase Says

(from Hollywood Park notes)
After six weeks with Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Wilko in his Hollywood Park stable, trainer Craig Dollase says he understands why the chestnut colt is a grade I stakes winner.

"He's a good, honest horse," said Dollase Wednesday as he prepared the colt for the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) on Saturday. "He tries hard. He's durable."

The Kentucky-bred son of Awesome Again   has finished in the top three in nine of 11 starts. His first ten were on turf in England before he was sent to Lone Star Park in Texas on Oct. 30 to spring a 28-to-1 upset in the Juvenile.

English-based trainer Jeremy Noseda, who trained the colt in all his previous starts, was impressed with the way Wilko trained on an all-weather track in England. J. Paul Reddam of Laguna Beach bought a majority interest in the colt before the Breeders' Cup and transferred him to Dollase after the race.

Wilko completed drills for Monday's running of the Futurity with a half-mile work in :48 4/5. Corey Nakatani will ride him for the first time.

Wilko, unbeaten Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) winner Declan's Moon, and Champagne Stakes (gr. I) winner Proud Accolade are expected to head the lineup in the 1 1/16-mile Futurity, with major ramifications in Eclipse Award balloting for 2-year-old champion.