Harness: Coleman develops another fine 3-year-old in Michaels Power

Trainer Casie Coleman seems to have a knack for emerging on the scene with untested 3-year-olds who go on to greatness. Last year, she quickly launched the career of Breeders Crown champion Betterthancheddar during the spring. This year, following an impressive victory by Michaels Power in Saturday’s $600,000C Upper Canada Cup, she again has a legitimate candidate in the elite class.

Driver Scott Zeron, an emerging star both in Canada and the United States, wasted no time with the homebred gelding Michaels Power scooting to the front of the nine-horse field at Georgian Downs. Guiding one of three elimination winners a week ago, Zeron expected to have company from either Mel Mara or Secretsoftheknight. The other elimination winners started from posts 8 and 9, respectively, and while both attempted to get out quickly, neither was successful.

Zeron allowed Michaels Power to carve first half fractions of 26 2/5 seconds and 54 with little dispute.

“I was surprised when I didn’t see the other two leave,” said Zeron following the race. “I was pretty happy with the fractions.”

With Mel Mara mired behind dull cover and Secretsoftheknight hopelessly following him, Michaels Power clicked off the remaining two fractions with 17-1 shot Huxley on this back. The 1:50 mile was a career best for Michaels Power, who will go next in a division of the Somebeachsomewhere at Mohawk on Saturday.

“If he hadn’t gotten shuffled in one race last year he’d be undefeated,” Coleman said.

Jeffrey Snyder owns and bred Michaels Power.

Nevertheless, Michaels Power’s dominance over Ontario-breds will be tested when he meets mixed company at Mohawk, where division leader Sweet Lou is expected on the scene. Trainer Bob McIntosh’s once-beaten 3-year-old Thinking Out Loud, who was most impressive this past Monday in an overnight event at Mohawk, is also expected to be in the Somebeachsomewhere lineup.

Three-year-old colts were also prepping for this Saturday’s $306,204 Art Rooney at Yonkers Raceway.

Hurrikane Kingcole went a vicious trip in a $23,500 division of the second round of New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts at the Meadowlands. He stayed at the back of the pack through heated fractions and then uncorked a monster move on the final turn that catapulted him to a 1:49 4/5 going away victory. Tim Tetrick guided the John McDermott-trained Hurrikane Kingcole to a two- length victory over second choice Simply Business.

Simpson Memorial winner Bolt The Duer couldn’t find an overnight race so his connections opted for a qualifier at Pocono this past Thursday instead. The 3-year-old Bolt the Duer smoked a 1:50 1/5 mile with regular pilot Mark MacDonald along for the ride. Bolt The Duer appears primed for Saturday’s Rooney.

Trainer Sam DePinto’s I Fought Dalaw made it two straight NJ Sire Stakes victories on Saturday, scoring decisively from post 9 in the other $24,000 division. Dave Miller had I Fought Dalaw in complete control late, scoring by open lengths in 1:50 4/5.

I Fought Dalaw is likely to meet up with A Rocknroll Dance in the $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final at the Meadowlands on Saturday. The race is one of four $150,000 statebred finals for 3-year-olds on the program.