"Well, we're kind of walking the fine line between doing too much with him and getting it all just right," Ellis said. "He may even lose on Friday, but I do know he's going to run a great race regardless."
B. Wayne Hughes' Atswhatimtalknbout, whose impressive debut Jan. 4 caused many to label him a legitimate early Triple Crown contender, worked six furlongs in 1:11 2/5, handily, over Santa Anita's fast main track Sunday morning. Jockey David Flores was aboard for the move, which was the second fastest of the 26 who worked at the distance."He did it all himself," Flores said. "I just put him in there and he did all the rest."Working in company with stablemate Rahy Vision, Atswhatimtalknbout remained even with his rival for 5 1/2 furlongs before easily drawing away by about a length at the wire. Despite the quick time, trainer Ron Ellis was pleased with the colt's move."He really picked it up that last eighth," Ellis said. "I knew they were going fast, but I didn't think they were going that fast."Ellis said Atwhatimtalknbout, a son of A.P. Indy who was purchased by his owner for $900,000 as a 2-year-old in training at Fasig-Tipton's Florida sale last Feburary, is set to start next in an allowance test set at a mile over Santa Anita's main track on Friday. Despite the temptation to run in stakes company after his impressive last-to-first move through traffic in his six-furlong debut, Ellis feels the colt would be best served with patient handling if he's to make it as a top-caliber race horse.
