TOAST IS A POPULAR CHOICE

by J.M. Severni 
If there’s one GI Breeders’ Cup Classic contender who has truly captured the hearts of racing fans on a global scale, it’s the charismatic Toast of New York (Thewayyouare). That’s a bold statement, considering the loyal and vocal fanbase of dual Classic winner California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), but it’s hard to deny. 

The big bay tallied two wins over the Wolverhampton synthetic in the fall of his juvenile year and burst onto the world-wide scene with as the hero of Meydan’s $2 million G2 UAE Derby Mar. 29. The globetrotter has since made two North American starts with a sixth in the GI Belmont Derby July 5 and very solid second to fellow Classic starter Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Pacific Classic Aug. 24. 

Throughout his global exploits, Toast of New York has gained quite the following, which trainer Jamie Osbourne dutifully keeps his 18,000 followers informed through his twitter account (@osbornejamie). 

“If I don’t tweet a picture of him for a few days, I get loads of tweets wondering where he is and what’s gone wrong,” Osbourne said. “I’ve got to keep his adoring public in the picture.” 

Osborne began his racing career as a National Hunt jockey in the mid 80s. He rode until 2000, when he gave up the irons for a pair of binoculars and began training flat horses. He currently has about 50 horses in his yard, two of which have made the trip to Arcadia. Along with Toast of New York, Osborne will send out Prize Exhibit (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Osborne, who spent a summer at Santa Anita working for the late John Russell, said it’s been nice to return to the track, especially for his first Breeders’ Cup. 

“It’s good to be back–it’s a different atmosphere, but it’s great to be here,” the conditioner commented. 
As for Toast of New York’s numerous passport stamps, Osborne said that he just looks for races that will suit his charge, no matter where they are. 

“I felt that the worst $2 million race in the world was always the UAE Derby, so after winning after winning two races as a 2-year-old last year, I thought ‘let’s have a go at it,” he explained. “Obviously, he won that. We toyed with the idea of taking him to the [G1] Epson Derby, but we changed our mind on that and felt that, possibly, he might just fall short of being a proper Group 1 horse in Europe, so why don’t we bring him [to the United States] and try and win a Grade I win.” 

Osborne also noted that, like in his previous starts in the States, Toast of New York will receive Lasix. 
“He’ll get a bit of Lasix, he had it at Del Mar and at Belmont,” Osborne commented. “[By taking it] you’re creating a level playing field and that’s what we’re doing.” 

The biggest question for Toast of New York will, undoubtably, be his ability to run on dirt. In his seven previous starts, the colt has made two turf attempts and the rest have come over synthetic surfaces. Osborne understands the change could pose a problem, but believes the colt might take to the surface. 

“If we thought he had no chance of going on it, we wouldn’t be here, but there is, obviously, a doubt,” Osborne explained. “I think there’s a bit of dirt in his pedigree. Thewayyouare–there isn’t enough evidence to say whether they would handle the dirt, but on his damside there’s a bit of dirt. So, we’re hopeful that he will [take to the dirt]. We won’t really know until [Saturday] night, but I think there’s a fair chance he would. Everyone tells me he’s got the physique of a dirt horse and the action of a dirt horse, so I’m hanging my hat on that.” 

Osborne also explained that the Classic will determine how he will plan out Toast of New York’s 4-year-old season. 
“One of the reasons for coming here was to test the dirt. The [G1] World Cup next year is being run on the dirt and that’s his next obvious target. I thought with that change from Tapeta to dirt, before we put all our eggs in one basket, let’s have a go at it here.” 

The trainer is, nonetheless, confident in his stable star. 
“I think he looks magnificent,” Osborne said. “He’s only had three races this year and he’s coming into this a relatively fresh horse.” 

Osborne is, very proud of Toast of New York and delighted that so many others share in his enthusiasm toward the colt. 

“As you can see, he’s a tremendously good-looking colt with a great action,” Osborne explained. “He is a bit of a character and I think he endears himself to people. Now, obviously, he’s the most liked in my yard because he’s the best one, but beyond that, he’s just a bit of a dude. Everybody sort of takes to him, we all have and the public has as well.”