Michaels Power Takes Confederation Cup

The Casie Coleman trained Michaels Power, who finished second to Pet Rock in the first heat, got a pocket trip to win Confederation Cup XXXVI in 1:52.4. Dynamic Youth closed from last to finish second and Pet Rock was third.

Michaels Power was the tempo setter until Pet Rock cleared the lead at the three-eighths pole. After a :26.1 opening quarter, Pet Rock started to slow down the pace. I Found My Beach came first over to challenge Pet Rock at the half. I Found My Beach and Pet Rock were wheel to wheel after a :54.4 (:28.3) half mile.

Michaels Power was stuck at the inside in third and Secretsoftheknight was following the hoof prints of I Found My Beach approaching three-quarters. State Treasurer came third over from the back of the pack. Pet Rock was under pressure from I Found My Beach, Secretsoftheknight and Dynamic Youth at three-quarters in 1:23.4 (:29).

Pet Rock started to kick away at the top of the stretch, until Michaels Power found racing room and started his bid up the passing lane. Dynamic Youth was closing on the far outside and Secretsoftheknight had no rally. Michaels Power’s last threat was Dynamic Youth, but the line came just in time and Michaels Power was crowned champion. Dynamic Youth was second and Pet Rock was third.

Michaels Power is a three-year-old colt by Camluck, out of the mare Michelles Jackpot by Artsplace. He is owned by Jeff Snyder, trained by Casie Coleman and Scott Zeron was in the bike to win the Confederation Cup in 1:52.4. 

Field Set for Confederation Cup

The horses for the 35^th Confederation Cup drew on Thursday afternoon. 16 horses entered Flamboro’s signature event and will race in two heats. The top four from races eight and nine plus one selected fifth-place finisher will advance to the US$539,335 final, scheduled for race 12. The race will take place on Sunday, August 14. First race post time is scheduled for 1 pm.

The likely choice is North America Cup champion Up The Credit. With a lifetime mark of 1:49 and seasonal earnings of $939,000, Up The Credit comes off a second-place effort at Mohawk in a Preferred event. Up The Credit is owned by Carl Jamieson, Thomas Kyron, Brian Paquet and Joanne Morrison. He is trained by Carl Jamieson and World Driving Champion Jody Jamieson is listed to drive.

One of the outsiders is Mystician. The 2010 Metro Pace champion has mainly camped in Canada, competing in the Ontario Sires Stakes. He has traveled the Flamboro oval several times in his career. He is owned by Jeffrey Gillis, Ken Henwood, Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay. He is trained by Jeffrey Gillis.

Also watch Rollwithitharry. He has raced several times over the half-mile tracks in New York and has done very well. Also watch Wink N Atcha, who was third in the Meadowlands Pace and watch Bestofbest Hanover, who I expected to win the Meadowlands Pace. He returns to Canada, where he did his best.

Here are the 16 horses that will compete in the US$642,211 Confederation Cup. The top four and a selected fifth-place finisher will advance to the final, scheduled for race 12.

Race 8 First Heat, First Elimination US$50,787

1. Prodigal Seelster

2. Mystician

3. Foreclosure N

4. Mystic Desire

5. Odysseus Blue Chip

6. Arsenal

7. Up The Credit

8. Bestofbest Hanover

Race 9 First Heat, Second Elimination US$50,787

1. Mickey Hanover

2. Eighteen

3. Rollwithitharry

4. Townslight Hanover

5. Keystone Velocity

6. Hare Craft

7. Rock To Glory

8. Wink N Atcha