Harness racing: 3-year-old prospect Warrawee Needy qualifies in 1:49.2 at Mohawk
Last year’s outstanding 2-year-old pacer, Warrawee Needy gave racing fans a glimpse of what is to be expected of him this season at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday morning.
The Carl Jamieson-trained and Jody Jamieson-driven, Warrawee Needy qualified for the second time this season, scoring his mile by 31 lengths in an impressive 1:49 2/5.
A top contender for this year’s edition of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup (June 16), the son of E Dees Cam led through panels of :28, :55 and :1:22 3/5, before using a :26 4/5 final quarter to cross the wire first.
The O’Brien Award winner, who has a $535,000 bankroll, is owned by Carl Jamieson, Floyd Marshall, Thomas Kyron and breeder Dr. Michael Wilson.
The nine-time winner’s first test will be in the Upper Canada Cup at Georgian Downs. Eliminations are scheduled for May 19, with the $500,000 final slated for May 26.
“He was brilliant, just like he always is,” Jody said. “The Upper Canada Cup should be fun. With these kinds of horses, it’s always great when you get to race under the lights and see how they have matured.”
Warrawee Needy’s stablemate, Up The Credit, also qualified Thursday morning for the third time for the Jamiesons.
The winner of last year’s Pepsi NA Cup and $1,161,643 in earnings got under the wire first in 1:53, one and a quarter lengths ahead of millionaire, Bigtime Ball.
Regular pilot Paul MacDonell was at the helm as Bigtime Ball marked his 2012 return for trainer/owner Gord Irwin.
Up The Credit has been kept eligible to the Molson Pace at Western Fair. Eliminations are scheduled for May 18, with the rich final on May 25.
Both Up The Credit and Bigtime Ball are O’Brien Award winners.
World record holder, Alsace Hanover qualified for the second time this morning. Scott Zeron guided the son of The Panderosa to victory in 1:53 1/5 for trainer Tony O’Sullivan, three lengths ahead of last year’s OSS Super Final winner, Waasmula.
-edited press release - Greg Gangle(WEG)