Eroy’s scratch clears path for Universal Boss
Published:Sunday | November 22, 2020 | 8:04 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
UNIVERSAL BOSS looks set to benefit from EROY’s scratch out of this afternoon’s United Racehorse Trainers Association Trophy, going seven and a half furlongs.
Imported EROY, who had worked brilliantly last Saturday morning, galloping five and a half furlongs in 1:05.0, a bullet work only bettered by TOONA CILIATA’s 1:04.3 on Monday, picked up a stone squeeze, which became noticeable on Tuesday.
Trainer Richard Azan said the the son of Khozan, Florida’s leading stallion in 2020, started showing signs of discomfort, after which the affected leg was poulticed, but showed no improvement and had to be pulled from the event yesterday.
UNIVERSAL BOSS, who was set to be EROY’s only matching speed down the backstretch, should now control the pace, having trained especially well, galloping six furlongs in 1:12.0 on Sunday.
The lightning-fast track will also suit UNIVERSAL BOSS, whose role in his last race, the Viceroy Trophy, appeared to be pacesetter for stablemate TOONA CILIATA.
UNIVERSAL BOSS has a similar running style to EROY and is lethal with an unmolested lead. Facing mainly slower rivals, the four-year-old should stay the trip. Nunes has entrusted claiming apprentice Oshane Nugent, who slips seven pounds to ride at 119lb.
Dane Nelson is aboard Nunes’ second runner, LEGALITY, who has back class and was set to be the closing leg of a stable relay before EROY’s scratch. However, with his stablemate now inheriting the pace, LEGALITY will be hard-pressed to chase down his stablemate, who is actually down in class, having performed creditably against open allowance company in his last five starts.