Woodbine Harness: Daley hoping for a smooth trip in Three Diamonds Final

It’s not uncommon in this sport for horsemen to follow bloodlines they are familiar with. Trainer Noel Daley captured the 2009 Breeders Crown juvenile colt pace at Woodbine with All Speed Hanover. On Saturday he’ll try to capture another major race with Caviart Ally in the Three Diamonds at the same Toronto-area track.

“She came a last quarter in 25 4/5 in her first start off the farm,” said Daley, recalling the early days in the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Allamerican Cool’s career.

“I think trip will make the difference. There are about five fillies that could win this race depending on the trip,” Daley said. “I wouldn’t trade my filly for any of the others.”

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Caviart Ally steps into the Three Diamonds off a solid victory in one of two eliminations last Friday at Woodbine and Daley is more than pleased with how his filly has responded late in the season.

“She’s as good as she’s been all year,” said Daley. “We brought her home after last Friday and we’ll ship her back up again.”

“We had her eligible for the Breeders Crown but we decided to go the Kindergarten route,” said Daley. That move led to a narrow loss defeat in the rich Kindergarten final to Breeders Crown champion Someomensomewhere, a filly she’ll meet again this Saturday.

“Andy (McCarthy, driver) thought she might have won the Kindergarten if she hadn’t shied from the lights on the wire,” said Daley.

Caviart Ally came up without cover in the Three Diamonds elimination and won in 1:54 3/5 as the wagering favorite last Friday.

On Saturday, the C$427,000 final will pit her against Breeders Crown champion Someomensomewhere (post 1) and Three Diamonds elimination and She’s A Great Lady winner Idyllic Beach (post 3).

While Somebeachsomewhere has been the top stallion this year, Daley still has a soft spot for the offspring of Bettor’s Delight. “We faced Scott McEneny’s filly (Bettors Up) in Pennsylvania and she was sharp,” said Daley. “I think Bettor’s Delight was one of the most underrated sires out there. They had a big day of racing in Australia with seven major stakes. Bettor’s Delights won five of the seven races and one was a trot!”

Caviart Ally carries the Bettor’s Delight banner into the Three Diamonds, race 5 on the card, looking for just her third win of the season for owners Caviart Farms.