CAMPBELLVILLE, ON – The filly equivalent to the North
America Cup on the Mohawk stakes card, the Fan Hanover, was a showcase for
Richard and Joanne Young’s I Luv The Nitelife, leaving the field in her wake
and winning the $391,882 Fan Hanover in 1:49.1.
Jettin Jamie led the pack into the first turn, passed the
quarter in :26. Jerseylicious got away in the pocket and was sent after Jettin
Jamie for the lead. Jerseylicious cleared shortly passing three-eighths and I Luv
The Nitelife was on her tail to apply pressure. I Luv The Nitelife cleared the
lead passing the half in :54.1 (:28.1).
I Luv The Nitelife in her 1:50.4 elimination triumph
Love Canal took command of the two wide flow entering the
far turn, carrying Belle Boyd up into contention. I Luv The Nitelife picked up
the tempo at three-quarters in 1:21.4 (:27.3). She instantly gained separation
on Jerseylicious, flattening out in second and Belle Boyd was closing well. I
Luv The Nitelife was clear by about 5 lengths heading to the wire and stopped
the timer in 1:49.1. Belle Boyd finished second, Jerseylicious held on to third
and Love Canal had no room to pace, settling for fourth.
I Luv The Nitelife was the lukewarm public choice,
returning $3.20 to win. She is owned by Richard and Joanne Young, trained by
Chris Ryder and was driven by Tim Tetrick. Tim is the first driver to win the
Fan Hanover two years in a row and has won the race a record three times.
CAMPBELLVILLE, ON – The first stake event on the North
America Cup undercard went to Maven, as she fanned off cover into the stretch
and surpassed all mares in front of her to win in 1:52.4.
China Pearls left the gate the quickest and set the
fractions, with Cedar Dove getting away in second and Smarty Pants third. The
public’s hope Maven was in fourth passing the quarter in :27.3. China Pearls
began to rate on the lead, developing a two-wide flow to challenge. Intense
America from fifth edged to the outside and waited for cover to follow. Maven
was up to the task and began her first over route into the far turn. China
Pearls was in control through a :56.1 (:28.3) half-mile.
China Pearls was still in the lead and was soon under the
pressure of Cedar Dove, as she tipped first over at the three-quarter pole.
Maven had to fan wide and Intense America, now third over, did not show any
bid. Three-quarters was timed in 1:24.2 (:28.1).
Maven winning her Armbro Flight elimination in 1:52.4
Maven came off cover and exploded down the stretch. China
Pearls was attempting to trot with the closers, but failed to do so. Cedar Dove
gave chase to Maven and had to settle for second, while Bax Of Life from last
closed to finish third and Mystical Starlight moved with her, finishing fourth.
Maven ($2.80) is owned by William Donovan, trained by
Jonas Czernyson and was driven by Yannick Gingras. Maven is currently
undefeated in her four-year-old campaign and is over the $1-million plateau
with her win in the Armbro Flight.
Tuesday afternoon at Mohawk Racetrack was flooded with
owners, trainers, drivers and media, as the track was conducting the post
position draw for Saturday night’s $1-million North America Cup final. The
three elimination winners, Captaintreacherous, Fool Me Once and Vegas Vacation,
got to pick their posts and a random fourth place finisher will be drawn by
lot.
Looking at the names participating in this year’s renewal of
the North America Cup, it shows that this year’s sophomore crop is arguably the
best in the last few years. This year’s group of eliminations also displayed
the talent of these three-year-olds, as every elimination was clocked in 1:49
or faster, the first time in the history of the Cup.
Captaintreacherous with the slight advantage over
Odds On Equuleus in the 2012 Metro Pace
(New Image Photo)
The 30th edition of the North America Cup looks
to be setting up similar to another signature race at Mohawk, the 2012 Metro
Pace. Few may remember what occurred in that $1-million classic, so ahead is a
brief summary. A fast pace was set up front because of a battle between Johny
Rock and Vegas Vacation. Captaintreacherous ended up third over around the far
turn and at three-quarters, which was paced in :28.3. Captaintreacherous fanned off his cover and
took the lead from the briefly second-over Apprentice Hanover entering the
eighth pole. Fourth over in the flow was Odds On Equuleus, who began chasing
down Captaintreacherous approaching the wire. Captaintreacherous dug in and won
the Metro in 1:49.2, pacing the final quarter in :27.1.
Some names from the freshman equivalent of the North America
Cup have not appeared in this year’s final. Yet, it’s uncanny how the race sets
up similarly to the Metro. The likely speed-demons of the Cup look to be Fool
Me Once and Apprentice Hanover.
After two failed attempts to race off the pace, trainer Ben
Wallace changed tactics with Apprentice Hanover and decided he wanted his colt
to race from the front. He proved his speed in his elimination, battling for
the lead through a quarter in :26.2 and a half in :54.1 (:27.4).
Fool Me Once under a firm grip by Sylvain Filion
winning his elimination in 1:48.1
(New Image Photo)
Fool Me Once was a monster on the front last week. Sylvain
said he did not want the lead in a post-race interview, but Fool Me Once blazed
through fractions of :26.2, :54.1 (:27.4) and 1:21.2 (:27.1) to kick home in
:26.4, pacing the mile in 1:48.1. Since Fool Me Once was trapped in a pocket
two weeks ago in the Somebeachsomewhere, expect Filion to be aggressive on the
lead.
To top off the speed in this race, there are horses that
like to brush to the lead later in the race. Both Vegas Vacation and
Captaintreacherous race like that. Vegas will likely be put into a spot, where
he can either pick up cover or make his pursuit to the lead after or at the
half. Right behind him will likely be Captaintreacherous, since he starts from
a more outside post. Vegas Vacation will make his move to a half timed near :53
and change, with the quarter going in the :26 range.
Captaintreacherous "flying" down the stretch to win
his North America Cup elim in 1:48.4
(New Image Photo)
We have not seen the power that Captaintreacherous holds. He
greatly resembles the likes of his sire, Somebeachsomewhere, in the ease he
shows making big moves. He’s shown the power he is capable of in many of the
big dances, such as the Woodrow Wilson and Metro. Although he may not be the
value we are looking for on the win ticket, he is an almost certain winner of the
Cup, the full-certainty is not on him, as it is horse racing. The value will be
within the exotics.
The closers in this field, consisting of Wake Up Peter,
Captive Audience and Odds On Equuleus, will highlight the underneath-section of
our exotics. For second, we’ll take Captaintreacherous’s main rival at two,
Odds On Equuleus. He tried to race on the lead in the Somebeachsomewhere, which
he was not capable of doing. Campbell then guided Odds On Equuleus to the back
of the pack and closed to finish second to Vegas Vacation in his Cup
elimination.
Also to be included in the exacta is Wake Up Peter. He
competed against Fool Me Once, who paced the fastest of the three eliminations,
going in 1:48.1. Wake Up Peter showed a tremendous amount of pace once he shook
loose in the stretch, finishing second by 2 lengths with a :26.1 final quarter.
He got lucky though, as the rail opened up for him. He cannot pace that kind of
trip this week and likely won’t, as Pierce will be more aggressive with him.
Out
of the 35 years of the Canadian Trotting Classic, only seven horses have been
able to win the Hambletonian and Canadian Trotting Classic in the same year. They
are Armbro Goal (1988), Giant Victory (1991), Yankee Paco (2000), Windsong’s
Legacy (2004), Donato Hanover (2007), Deweycheetumnhowe (2008) and Muscle Hill
(2009). Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) will be looking to become the eighth horse
to pull off this historic double.
10
horses are in pursuit of the $1-million Canadian Trotting Classic. Listed below
is the field.
In
the Canadian Trotting Classic, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide) and Daylon
Magician are listed as the favorites in here. Broad Bahn will also be a heavy
betting interest. Dejarmbro and Whatever It Takes (Credit Winner) may bring
some high odds with that trio entered. “Takes” gained a lot of ground but had
no room and was fourth by ¾ lengths in his elimination.
Dejarmbro
is also a good betting interest in here. Although he has been second to this
group several times, he is still the best. He was not eligible for the Hambletonian,
nor is he for the Breeders Crown. But Dejarmbro is a strong horse and Brian
Sears may put him in mid-pack and he may take advantage of Broad Bahn’s speed.
This
Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack features great stake action, including the
$245,288 Simcoe, $633,000 She’s A Great Lady, $1,000,000 Metro, $832,000
Canadian Pacing Derby and the $100,000 A Spring Of Hope Invitational. Listed
below are my picks for tonight’s Mohawk card.
Picks- (4) Bound To
Rock raced well in her elimination, pacing a final quarter in :26.4. Since the
field of the consolation is poor, she has a great shot.
Picks- (3) Dalihouse
Dave has done well in Open company and has finished second in the Preferred
ranks before. He may bring a price, since he is stepping up. (4) Aracache
Hanover is the superior horse in this field. He has dominated the Open ranks
several times and did well in the free for all stakes. This should be a walk in
the park for him.
Picks- (3) Rock N Soul’s
last start in the Golden Girls is unexplainable but has done well in every
start before that. She may do better tonight. (6) Royal Cee Cee N has dominated
in the Open’s at Chester and Pocono. Seeing her against these gals is very
impressive. (7) Anndrovette tried to steal the Golden Girls but was caught by
Dreamfair Eternal, finishing second.She
did well in Canada and may show that talent tonight.
Picks- (1) Bestofbest
Hanover is coming off a victory in the Confederation Cup (We gave him out). He
shows that he may be capable going up against older horses. (3) Red Bugler was
second in a Preferred 2 to Mach Dreamer, who is an alternate in the Canadian Pacing
Derby. That shows that this is a classy horse and may be the best in the field.
Picks- (1) Blue Porsche
returns to his own age group and his home track. He is four for six at Mohawk,
including wins in the Valley Victory and Goodtimes Trot. He may be a be a
longshot, since his last three efforts were not impressive.
Picks- (7) Machapelo
came back to finish fifth in his Metro elim and is the 2011 Battle of Waterloo
champion. The consolation may be right up his alley. (8) Shakerattlenrock tried
to close instead of sitting mid-pack in his elimination. He went an average
quarter of :27.4 and regained 13 lengths in the mile. The full brother to
Pretty Katherine may show what he is capable of tonight.
Picks- (1) Podges Lady
should not be 30-1 morning line. She worked hard to get the front from post 8.
The rail will help her get better positioning in the mile. (6) Economy Terror
could not catch American Jewel, finishing second by a ½ length. She may redeem
herself and nip “Jewel” at the wire.
Picks- (4) D Terminata
is an elimination winner. He has really started to improve and may be the best in this field.
(6) Allstar Legend finished second in his elimination. He has shown how good he
is when he stays flat. He will be on the board if he does not break. (7)
Hurrikane Kingcole went too fast and finished third in his elimination. If
Ouellette can ration out his speed, he will draw away from this bunch.
$25,000 NW
$18,500 Last 5 Starts. AE: Optional Claiming $60,000
Picks- (1)
Thepaninsulahotel was shuffled back and closed to finish fourth. He may do
better with the rail. (5) Lennon Blue Chip was shuffled into eighth and closed
to finish second. He may be the best in the field. (7) World Away came first
over and finished third. He should do better if he gets the trip.
Picks- (1) Atochia got
a perfect trip in his elimination. With all the speed in this race, he may get
another perfect trip. (3) Art Professor got hung in his elimination and fought
hard to the finish. He may not give way as bad as he did in the elim. (8)
Razzle Dazzle is the longshot bet. He got in the cover flow and closed to finish
third. He could take control of the speed and bomb.
Picks- (1) For You
Almostfree has done well at the Mohawk oval. His pedigree is rich, by Glidemaster
out of the mare Pizza Dolce. He did well in the Zweig and may bring a price
tonight. (9) Charlie De Vie has got his mojo back. He may be the best in this
field.
On Saturday, 25 Breeders Crown (BC) freshman pacing hopefuls competed in the $344,674 Nassagaweya stakes at Mohawk. 13 BC freshman filly pacers competed in the co-feature, the $265,566 Eternal Camnation at Mohawk.
In the first Nassagaweya, Speed Again (Dragon Again) was victorious, with Shakerattlenrock (Rocknroll Hanover) finishing second, Ideal Ike (Western Ideal) was third and I Fought Dalaw (Western Ideal) finished fourth.
“Shake,” “Speed,” Terco Corazon (Rocknroll Hanover) and “Dalaw” all left for the lead. At the quarter, Shake had the lead and paced the quarter in :28.1. Speed was in second and “Terco” was in third.
Dalaw came first over and took the lead at the half. Dalaw went the half in :56.2 (:28.1). Approaching the far turn, Artache Hanover (Western Ideal) came first over and moved from seventh to fourth in a couple of strides. Speed came out and moved into second, applying pressure to Dalaw. They went three-quarters in 1:25.2 (:29).
In the stretch, Speed passed Dalaw. Shake was buried at the inside in fourth and “Artache” was progressing on the outside. Speed was drawing clear approaching the wire and Shake found room and circled out two wide. Speed was home free at the 1/16 pole, Shake was giving chase in second and “Ike” closed late to beat Dalaw for third.
Terco Corazon, Artache Hanover and Catch That Angel (Rocknroll Hanover) finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Sing For Me George (Bettor’s Delight) scratched sick.
Speed Again in the Nassagaweya Stakes
In the second division, Special Blend (The Panderosa) won, with Best Ears (Shark Gesture) finishing second, Ideal Champ (Western Ideal) was third and Spinarama was fourth.
Spinarama and “Blend” both left for the lead heading to the quarter pole. Spinarama cleared in a :28 opening quarter. Blend pulled back into second and Redford Blue Chip (Western Ideal) was in third. Some Or Lis (Lis Mara) went on a break. Approaching the half, Spinarama had the lead and to his outside was “Champ.” Champ cleared the front at the half in :57.2 (:29.2).
Around the far turn, Champ had the lead. “Ears” was progressing on the outside. Blend was following Ears. Ears and Champ were dueling at three-quarters in 1:25.2 (:28). Blend came three wide at the top of the stretch.
Ears, Champ and Blend were in a duel to the wire at the 1/16 pole. Blend charged by them both to win the second Nassagaweya by 2 lengths in 1:53.3. Best Ears finished second and Ideal Champ was third.
Secretsoftheknight (Mach Three), E Street Plan (Rocknroll Hanover), Redford Blue Chip and Some Or Lis finished fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively. Hope Blue Chip (Art Major) scratched sick.
Special Blend in the 2nd Nassagaweya
In the final division, Hurrikane Kingcole (Cam’s Card Shark) went wire to wire to win, with D Terminata (Rocknroll Hanover) finishing second, State Treasurer (Real Desire) was third and Gable Blue Chip (American Ideal) was fourth.
“Kingcole” went for the lead, with “Gable” moving into second and “Terminata” sat in third. Kingcole paced the quarter in :26.4.
Kingcole was alone on top at the half in :56.2 (:29.3). “State” came first over and Perfect Escape (Mcardle) followed second over. Lifeimitatesart (Art Major) came third over and Rockweiller (Rocknroll Hanover) came fourth over.
At three-quarters, Kingcole still had command. State was first over in third. Rockweiller came three wide in ninth, 13 lengths off the lead.
Kingcole was drawing away coming to the wire, Rockweiller was starting to close in the back and State was trying to hold off Gable for third. Terminata was coming on after Kingcole but Kingcole got to the wire to hold off Terminata by a head. State Treasurer held on for third and Gable Blue Chip settled for fourth.
Rockweiller, Lifeimitatesart, Perfect Escape, Orse Power (Peruvian Hanover) and Fenian Hanover finished fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.
Hurrikane Kingcole in the 3rd Nassagaweya
In the first Eternal Camnation, American Jewel (American Ideal) won easily, with Big Mcdeal (Mcardle) finishing second, Shelliscape (Artiscape) finishing third and Rockaround Sue (Rocknroll Hanover) was fourth.
“Mcdeal” left for the lead, with “Sue” sitting in second and Shelliscape was in third. “Jewel” made a break at the gate. Mcdeal had the lead at the quarter in :26.4. Sue was in second and Shelliscape was 4 lengths off the leader in third. Jewel was first over in sixth, 14 lengths off of the leader.
Mcdeal had the lead at the half in :54.4 (:28). Jewel found a pocket in fourth. Sue was in second and Shelliscape was in third. Around the far turn, Mcdeal had the front. Shelliscape came onto the outside and Jewel followed. Mcdeal had the lead at three-quarters in 1:23.1 (:28.2).
Mcdeal had to hold off Shelliscape and Jewel in the stretch. But she was no match for American Jewel and had to settle for second. American Jewel drew away by 4 lengths to win. Big Mcdeal settled for second and Shelliscape was third.
Rockaround Sue, Cooking The Books (Mach Three), Miss Mojo (Rocknroll Hanover) and I’ve Got A Feeling (Rocknroll Hanover) finished fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth, respectively.
American Jewel in the 1st Eternal Camnation
Romantic Moment (American Ideal) was victourious in the final division. Notreadytobenice (Western Ideal) finished second and Bound To Rock was third.
“Rock” and “Moment” both left for the lead. They dueled by the quarter in :27.4. Rock cleared the lead down the backstretch. “Nice” was behind Rock and cleared the lead approaching the half. Moment came onto the outside as they passed the half in :55.4 (:28).
Moment had the lead at three-quarters in 1:24.1 (:28.2). Nice was buried in second and Ys Gold Star was first over in third. Moment and Nice were dueling in the stretch. “Gold” started to fade and Rock was giving chase in third. Moment was home free by 2 ¼ lengths at the wire. Notreadytobenice was second and Bound To Rock settled for third.
Angel Scent (Western Ideal), Centralia Hanover (Art Major), Mileys Big World (Cam’s Card Shark) and Rock Concert (Rocknroll Hanover) finished fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth, respectively.
