Mohawk: Scott Zeron sweeps Canadian Trotting Classic elims
Your So Vain and driver Scott Zeron flew in the stretch to overtake Hambletonian winner Royalty For Life to capture the first of two $40,000 eliminations for the Canadian Trotting Classic at Mohawk on Saturday night. The son of Donato Hanover followed third over cover into the stretch and then made a bold rally, overtaking 2-5 favorite Royalty For Life rather easily despite the position disadvantage.
Trained by Brad Maxwell, Your So Vain won for the third time in seven starts this season and returned $11.40 as a 9-2 proposition.
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The race played out much as it looked on paper, with Royalty For Life and Brian Sears dictating the pace through rated fractions of :27 4/5, :56 3/5 and 1:24 4/5. In the stretch, Royalty For Life appeared to have a safe advantage until the late stages when Your So Vain powered by.
“He’s always had the ability,” said Paul Van Camp, Your So Vain’s owner. “He’s had issues but Brad has them fixed.”
Your So Vain was a disappointing fifth in a Hambletonian elimination but since returning to Mohawk has won two of three races, including last week’s Simcoe Stakes for Zeron.
In addition to the top two finishers, Smilin Eli, All Laid Out and Pine Credit advanced to the September 14 final.
Driver Scott Zeron completed the Canadian Trotting Classic elimination sweep when he guided 3-5 shot Master Of Law to victory in the second division. The altered son of Deweycheatumnhowe had to go a long overland route as Corky made two moves to control the pace and set uncontested numbers of :27 3/5, :56 2/5 and 1:25 3/5 with Master Of Law on his flank in the latter portion of the mile.
In the stretch, Master Of Law charged by Corky and then needed late urging to hold Punxsutawney at bay. Wheeling N Dealin benefited from a live cover trip behind the winner but could do no better than third, with Corky a disappointing fourth and Toocool Forschool rounding out the finalists.
Winning driver Scott Zeron kept everyone in suspense by refusing to commit to either winner for the final.
“He can go all day,” said Zeron about Master Of Law. “He’s a little tough to handle.”
Master Of Law scored for the sixth time in seven lifetime starts for trainer Frank Antonacci. He trotted the mile in 1:53 4/5 and returned $3.30.
Canadian Trotting Classic Final
| Post | Horse |
| 1 | Wheeling N Dealin |
| 2 | Punxsutawney |
| 3 | Master Of Law |
| 4 | Your So Vain |
| 5 | Toocool Forschool |
| 6 | Royalty For Life |
| 7 | Pine Credit |
| 8 | Corky |
| 9 | All Laid Out |
| 10 | Smilin Eli |