Flamboro Downs: Michaels Power uses speed to win Confederation Cup

Michaels Power, driven masterfully by Scott Zeron, captured the $581,500 Confederation Cup final on Sunday at Flamboro Downs upsetting 2-5 favorite Pet Rock in a 1:52 4/5 mile.

The Confederation Cup offered two emlimination heats with State Treasurer taking the opening division in 1:51 2/5. Race favorite Panther Hanover, a $25,000 supplemental entry, was a disappointing sixth in the event. The recent New Jersey Classic winner picked up driver Paul MacDonell as a late replacement for Sylvain Filion. That tandem never appeared to be working together, with Panther Hanover first taking a tuck behind State Treasurer in the opening quarter and then attempting a second move which was rebuffed in short order. State Treasurer held off a determined bid by Dynamic Youth, with I Found My Beach, Caviart Key and Speed Again all reaching the rich final.

In the second $50,000 elimination, Pet Rock and driver Brian Sears tailed live cover to the stretch, ducked inside and wore down Michaels Power in the closing strides. The son of Rocknroll Hanover paced home in 1:51 2/5. Warrawee Needy and Secretsoftheknight also advanced.

With the draw open for the final of the multi-heat event, Pet Rock drew the pole position and became the odds-on favorite. Michaels Power landed post six for trainer Casie Coleman and was sent off at 3-1.

“I had his nose on the gate and had to get out of there,” said Zeron about his final strategy.

Michaels Power was electric leaving from the outside and looped rival Warrawee Needy into the first turn. The colt worked through a :26 1/5 opening quarter before releasing Pet Rock on a regaining move.

Pet Rock and Sears were able to control the pace cutting a sensible :54 4/5 opening half and a third panel in 1:23 4/5 while under token pressure from I Found My Beach.

In the homestretch, Michaels Power, a gelded son of Camluck, used the passing lane to perfection and rolled past the favorite to win by a neck. Dynamic Youth, second in his elimination heat, rallied from dead last at the halfway point and nosed out Pet Rock for the place spot.

Though Michaels Power is eligible for this Sunday’s Battle of the Brandywine at Harrah’s Philadelphia, trainer Casie Coleman indicated the sophomore will be staying in Ontario and pointing for another Gold Series event.