by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — The Game Plan, last year’s 2-year-old trotting colt of the year in Canada, is right on schedule to make his 2012 return according to trainer John Kopas.

New Image Media photo

The Game Plan earned $496,167 as a 2-year-old.

The bay gelding posted eight victories from 13 efforts last season with freshman earnings of $496,167. His biggest triumph came in the $478,380 William Wellwood Memorial Trot when he found the winner’s circle in 1:55.2, defeating the best rookie trotters in North America.

“He’s training back beautifully and he had a great winter,” Kopas said. “He grew quite a bit. I suppose he’s close to 17 hands and he’s filled out considerably. I’ve trained him three times in 2:12 and everything seems to be in order.”

Primarily driven by Jack Moiseyev, The Game Plan was the leader in the Ontario Sires Stakes program last season with 287 points, 187 more than his closest rival, Prestidigitator, who captured the $294,000 OSS Super Final.

The Game Plan was a C$20,000 yearling purchase by Kopas, who co-owns with LLK Stables, Anthony Wagner and Gary Grieve. The son of Kadabra-Image Control is a half-brother to Pure Ivory, who earned nearly $1.3 million. The Game Plan was bred by Harry Rutherford and Diane Ingham’s Cool Creek Farm.

Kopas also confirmed that The Game Plan’s first stakes engagement will be at The Raceway at the Western Fair District in the first Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations, set for May 18.

WEG’s communications department recently spoke with Kopas. To view the interview, click here.