Truro-trained colt making great strides

TRURO - A year after Somebeachsomewhere was the toast of the harness racing world, another standardbred horse developed at Truro Raceway is attracting attention with his performances in the fast lane.
With the $1.5-million Pepsi North America Cup less than a month away, Keep It Real is looking like he's the real thing for prominent owner Wayne Whebby of Dartmouth. The son of Real Artist-Magical Leah won his fifth straight with a personal best of 1:51.4 at Mohawk Raceway on Sunday night.
It marked the third straight time that Keep It Real has lowered his record since leaving the Emmons MacKay barn at Truro Raceway.
MacKay, a veteran-trainer driver who has had a long association with the Whebby racing family, played a major role in developing the colt, who arrived at his stable after being purchased for $45,000 as a yearling at the Harrisburg sale in the fall of 2007.
MacKay trained Keep It Real as a two-year-old and the colt was ready to qualify when he developed a puss pocket in one of his hooves. The decision was made to allow the horse time to fully recover from the painful foot injury, resulting in Keep It Real failing to race as a two-year-old.
He began his racing career at Truro in May, reeling off two straight victories, including a 24-length victory for Marc Whebby in 1:58.3 on May 24. That was all the evidence Wayne Whebby needed that he might have another good one.
Wayne Whebby vanned the colt to
Baycairn Training Centre near Campbellville - the same training centre where Somebeachsomewhere was stabled - and placed him in the care of Prince Edward Island native Joey Shea.
Steve Condren got the call to drive the colt in his Ontario debut and drove him to a 1:54.4 victory. Keep It Real won his next start for Condren in 1:52.3 and followed that up with a three and one-half length victory in 1:51.4 last Sunday night.
"So far he's doing everything right," said the veteran Condren when asked to comment about Keep It Real's latest win. "He was really impressive down the lane (closing quarter in 26.2)."
Condren is expected to get the call to drive Keep It Real in this Saturday's $100,000 Burlington Stakes, a race regarded as a stepping stone toward the North America Cup.
"He's a little bit rambunctious at times, but so far he's heading in the right direction." said Condren, who moved Keep It Real to the outside flow from Post 5 at the half-mile marker Sunday and drew off on his rivals with a powerful closing kick.
Having a horse in the North America Cup, Canada's richest horse race, is nothing new for Whebby.
Feelin Frisky finished second in the 2006 final after winning his elimination, while another Whebby-owned colt, Whatta Hotshot, was a surprising third to Tell All, the 2007 winner for Bible Hill native Jody Jamieson.
"Any time you can earn money in this kind of race is a bonus." said ?Whebby.
Whebby watched last Sunday's race at Truro Raceway where Keep It Real's victory was cheered by fans watching via simulcast.
So far, there's been no "Beach parties" at the Bible Hill oval, but if Keep It Real can keep it coming Saturday, it could lead to some entertaining weekends.
Keep?It Real is eligible to race in a number of major stakes, including the Little Brown Jug.
- ATLANTIC?POST?CALLS