Mohawk: Records galore for Ariana G in Elegantimage triumph

Ariana G added the Elegantimage Stakes title her lengthy resume thanks to a 1:51 4/5 track, stakes, and Canadian record mile in this year's edition of the C$385,000 event for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.

83-1 shot Sweet Of My Heart (Jody Jamieson) flashed her customary early speed and took the field of nine to the opening quarter in 26 4/5, but elimination winner and second choice Dream Together (Dan Dube) pulled pocket on her in the backstretch, and Dream Together would take control. Ariana G had settled in third in the early going, but driver Yannick Gingras had her out and on the move before Dream Together tripped the half in 55 3/5.

Ariana G and Dream Together would battle briefly going into the turn, but Ariana G took control with about three-eighths of the mile to go, and she would go on to reach three-quarters in 1:23 3/5. Dube brought Dream Together back to the outside in the lane to try and mount a charge, but instead Ariana G pulled away to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Magic Presto (Trevor Henry) was the third-place finisher, while Dream Baby Dream (Rod Allen) came in fourth and Winter Sweet Frost (Doug McNair) finished fifth.

"She can do anything you want her to do, and she's so smart, so it makes my job really easy," remarked Gingras. "She has high speed, and then she's so easy to drive. Every time I get on the racetrack I know we'll see how the race plays out, and we'll go from there."

Jimmy Takter trains the daughter of Muscle Hill for owners/breeders Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz. Ariana G, who paid $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite, has now won 18 of 22 career starts, and she has earned C$1,641,772.

"Our plan is to bring her back next year, which is unusual. We typically won't do that, but she's so talented and we enjoy racing her so much," said Katz about future plans for Ariana G. "I think it's great for the sport and great for her. Perhaps we'll think about Europe or something like that."