Weaver-trained Governor Sam looms formidable in Saturday’s Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park

By Tom Luicci —-

WEAVER-TRAINED GOVERNOR SAM LOOMS A STRONG PRESENCE

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer George Weaver wasn’t quite sure what he had on his hands when he was given a 2-year-old named Governor Sam shortly after the colt was purchased for $275,000 at the Ocala Breeders Sale Spring of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

So he decided to find out by putting the unraced son of Improbable in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park on May 11.

Governor Sam flashed dazzling speed that day before fading late in the five-furlong turf race, then announced his presence in his second career start on July 19 at Saratoga, winning a 5½-furlong grass sprint in maiden special weight company by 2½ lengths.

That was enough for Weaver to wheel back the speedy Governor Sam after just two weeks as he tries to take the $100,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday for the second straight year. Weaver won the race a year ago with No Nay Mets, who went on to be fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

The Tyro will go at five furlongs on the grass.

“We didn’t have much time with him when we got him from the sale when we ran him at Gulfstream in that stakes race,” said Weaver. “To be honest, at that time we didn’t know if he was better on the turf or the dirt. We just wanted to make the race and see what he did.

“We knew he was fast but that was a little bit of a rush to put him in that spot. After that we took our time with him to see what we had on both surfaces. We feel like he’s better on the turf.”

Owned by Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros (Bregman Family Racing) and Swinback Stables, Governor Sam blazed fractions of :21.1 and 43.4 in his debut at Gulfstream, eventually beaten three lengths as he finished sixth.

“He showed good speed and then bottomed out,” said Weaver. “Like I said he was rushed for that race.”

The two months off proved beneficial when Governor Sam went gate to wire at Saratoga.

The Tyro, which drew a field of seven 2-year-olds, is brimming with speed, including the Wesley Ward-trained Johnny Come Lately. Ward will be looking to win the Tyro for the fifth time.

Weaver, though, has liked what he has seen from Governor Sam.

“At the very least he looks like he is going to be a nice turf sprinter. We’ll see,” said Weaver. “Going against winners is a test but we’re very happy with the horse. He has done nothing wrong and he is training well.

“But they let us know in the afternoon how good they’re going to be.”

The short spacing in between races doesn’t concern Weaver, either.

“He’s a big, sold horse,” he said. “He’ll probably benefit for the quick turnaround.”