Mohawk: Holloway mares expected to be sharp

The $330,000 Roses Are Red final for older pacing mares, race seven of 14 at Mohawk on Saturday night, figures to be a very hotly contested mile. With elimination winners Anndrovette (post four) and Yagonnakissmeornot (post one) landing inside, the balance of power has essentially shifted. With that said, trainer Joe Holloway didn’t sound pessimistic in the least about the chances of his two mares in the race despite the draw.

“I still think I have the best two,” said Holloway with confidence.

Certainly there’s reason for optimism when you consider the hand Holloway is holding.

World champion Shebestingin was one of the best fillies in last year’s three-year-old crop and has taken some time converting that into aged pacing stardom. Yet Holloway is holding out hope that the daughter of Bettor’s Delight may be in for a breakout mile.

[DRF HARNESS: Watch the $1 million North America Cup and full card from Mohawk Saturday on DRF!]

“She had a few situations and I was unable to get to train her very well,” said Holloway. I think she was better last week, still a little short but getting there. I trained her this morning (Tuesday) in 1:51 with a back half in :54.”

Holloway concluded that the four-year-old mare, that gets underway from post eight for driver Dave Miller, is finally sharp enough that he could train her that kind of mile.

So far this year Blue Chip Matchmaker champion Somwherovrarainbow has done little wrong. Though coming up a little short in last week’s trials, she has been impressive everywhere she’s raced.

“Maybe she’s not the kind of mare that can outsprint everyone,” Holloway said, “But I think she can carry her speed for four quarters.”

Somwherovrarainbow landed post nine and was rated the 7-2 second choice for driver Brian Sears behind Anndrovette, who captured last year’s edition of the race in a stakes record 1:48 1/5. Anndrovette showed some of her class last week surviving an inside journey and then finishing strongly for driver Tim Tetrick, who will also be in search of a second Roses Are Red title.