Practical Joke Colt Named Canadian Champion 2-Year-Old Male

Practical Joke hit another milestone on Thursday night at the 50th Sovereign Awards when his son He’s Not Joking took home Champion 2-Year-Old Male honors.

Trained by Josie Carroll for Gianni Di Scola, He’s Not Joking broke his maiden in his second start last September by 1 ¼ lengths as the race favorite. One start later, he earned his first blacktype at the same track with a good third place finish in the Listed Display Stakes.

The crowning moment for He’s Not Joking came in the following start when stepping up to graded stakes competition.

Racing 1 1/16-miles on the synthetic surface at Woodbine, He’s Not Joking was one of the back runners for the early running before making his way to the front. He proved to be much the best with a four-length win by the time he crossed the finish line.

Bred by James Wasserson in Kentucky, He’s Not Joking was sold by Highgate Sales at Keeneland September in 2023.

The colt’s dam Collegeville Girl had a Practical Joke filly last year as well.

He’s Not Joking earned nine votes more than Mo Town’s Scorching in the division with that one named a finalist in the category and getting the second most votes. Mo Town was also the sire of Champion Female Sprinter Play The Music while Mendelssohn’s Kin’s Concerto was a finalist in the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly category.