There’s a quiet confidence around the Marty Drexler barn this week — the kind that comes when a horse starts believing in himself. After his thrilling, against-the-odds victory in the Grade 3 Durham Cup, Cool Kiss will look to prove that performance was no fluke when he lines up for Saturday’s Grade 3 Autumn Stakes at Woodbine.
A horse with heart — and growing confidence
“He’s got a big heart,” Drexler said of Cool Kiss, who will be joined by stablemate Classic Mo Town in the $150,000 feature over 1 1/8 miles on Woodbine’s main track. “He’s a light-framed horse, but he’s confident right now, and that makes a big difference. If they’re going over confident and comfortable, they usually act a little more relaxed.”
That new composure has been a long time coming. Earlier this year, Cool Kiss would get worked up in the paddock. Drexler’s team took him back to school — literally — giving him extra paddock sessions until he learned to settle. The result was a much calmer gelding and, in September, the biggest win of his career.
At 17-1, the son of Kantharos surged late to capture the $150,000 Durham Cup (G3) by a narrow margin, earning his first stakes title and setting the stage for a second straight graded bid.
Drexler’s faith rewarded
“We were going in there knowing this horse can really run,” said Drexler, who claimed Cool Kiss for $40,000 last October on behalf of owners Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman. “He isn’t limited in distance at all, and he got a great trip from Sahin Civaci — he’s coming back to ride him again.”
The Ontario-bred gelding, produced from Hot Kiss (by Philanthropist), has compiled a record of 4-4-1 from 23 starts, banking $294,449 to date. Drexler, who is approaching 900 career victories, credits both his horse’s attitude and his small but experienced team, including groom Greg Howell, for the continued progress.
“It’s a big field,” Drexler added with a grin. “But he’s a nice horse. We’ll find out if the Durham Cup was for real.”
Stablemate Classic Mo Town ready to grind
Lining up alongside him will be Classic Mo Town, a seasoned campaigner who has danced nearly every big dance at Woodbine this year. The 5-year-old gelding, owned by Bruno Schickedanz, earned his own moment of glory when taking the Eclipse Stakes (G2) on May 31.
“He’s just a warrior,” Drexler said. “It feels like every year people wonder if he’s still got it, and then he comes out and runs another solid race. He never really runs a bad one.”
Since his Eclipse triumph, Classic Mo Town’s best finish was a fourth in the Seagram Cup (G3) on August 2. Still, Drexler believes the gelding, bred in Florida by John B. Penn & Sue’s Farm II, LLC, is finding his rhythm again. “Last year, he got really good around this time and went on to run great in the Valedictory (G3). That could be on the radar again if all goes well.”
Eswan Flores has the call aboard Classic Mo Town, with Ned Hayes listed as groom.
Grade 3 Autumn Stakes: field and wagering info
Saturday’s Grade 3 Autumn Stakes has attracted a deep 13-horse lineup that includes Paramount Prince, Lost Ark, and Funtastic Again, alongside Drexler’s pair. First post time is 1:05 p.m., with wagering available through HPIbet.com and bet365.
Fans can play Rolling Doubles, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, and $1 Swinger wagers across the program.
Read more race previews and reports at RaceBuzz.
