by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — After celebrating a career year with more than $1.15 million in earnings, which included a victory in the Breeders Crown with Monkey On My Wheel, trainer Travis Umphrey is hoping Twin B Wrangler will be his next superstar pacer.

The lightly raced rookie son of Mach Three-Stryper will headline his C$50,000 Autumn Stakes final on Monday (Dec. 5) after an impressive 1:53 lifetime best score in his elimination, but Umphrey has much bigger praise for his bay gelding.

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Twin B Wrangler will be seeking a victory in the Autumn Stakes final.

“I’m hoping he can be a ‘Gold’ horse next year,” Umphrey said. “He’s got such a terrific gait and attitude to him. He wants to do it and he’s got all the qualities to be a good horse.”

Umphrey privately purchased Twin B Wrangler from breeder Twinbrook Farms in July, but Umphrey had been studying the gelding for quite some time.

“Chad Milner was training the horse for Rob and Tammy McNiven (Twinbrook Farms) and he told me the horse was for sale because they’re in the breeding game. We are both stabled at First Line Training Centre, so I always got a good look at him on the track and liked what I saw.”

Twin B Wrangler did not enter public auction as a yearling due to a cut on his leg prior to sale time.

When the two-time winner entered Umphrey’s barn, he faced an immediate problem.

“He got sick then it became worse,” the Guelph resident said. “That’s why he didn’t qualify until September, but maybe it was for the best because he’s such a growthy colt. That’s another reason why I’m looking forward to next year with him. Once he fills out, he’s going to have a great shoulder and even better stride.”

Twin B Wrangler will leave from post four in his Autumn Stakes final on Monday evening, which Umphrey has confirmed will mark the freshman’s final start of the year.

“He’s going to get about four to six weeks off after Monday,” he said. “Then we’ll get him ready for the spring. He came out of his elimination great and is in great shape heading into the final. That mile the other night didn’t bother him at all.”

Twin B Wrangler boasts a record of 2-2-1 from five career starts and $30,064 in the bank for Umphrey, who co-owns with Mac Nichol and Derek Wilson.

The C$50,000 final will line up as follows: 1. Pansational, 2. Twickenham, 3. Arthur, 4. Twin B Wrangler, 5. Machs Beach Boy, 6. Stonebridge Art, 7. Crawfish Creek, 8. Piston Broke, 9. Solid Performance and 10. Sky Mcfly.

Also on Monday’s program, 10 sophomore trotting colts and geldings will contest their C$60,000 Autumn Stakes final.

The field will line up as follows: 1. High Stakes Banker, 2. Vimy Ridge, 3. Meadowview Arty, 4. Calipari, 5. Cool Guy, 6. Oaklea Trace, 7. Hearthetrainacomin, 8. Indian Lake, 9. P L Eureka and 10. Random Holdup.