Woodbine Mohawk Park: Burke well represented on stakes-packed Saturday card

The sport's leading trainer, Ron Burke, has reached the pinnacle of success from taking the bumps in stride.

"I don't look at two- and three-week periods," Burke said. "I judge them by the entire season."

That's the reason Burke remains cautiously optimistic heading into Saturday's two Pepsi North America Cup eliminations with a pair of sophomores that enjoyed brilliant campaigns in 2020 but have yet to display similar dominance in 2021.

"We're skipping the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final with Southwind Gendry," Burke said, indicating there's confidence the son of Always B Miki is on the verge of something big. "I think the big track will do him good. He seems to be turning the corner."

Southwind Gendry won 10 of his 13 starts as a 2-year-old, yet has found the winner's circle more elusive this year with just three trips there in nine starts. He landed the pole position in the first of two C$50,000 eliminations (race six) on the Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday night program and will have Yannick Gingras in the bike. That's the positive news for the Burke-trained gelding. The negative is the competition in the seven-horse field, with Ontario's best, Bulldog Hanover (post three), and Meadowlands Pace and Hempt winner Lawless Shadow (post four), in the mix. Add Rockyroad Hanover (post six), a Cane Pace winner on August 7 at the Meadowlands and Southwind Gendry will need to be at his best to qualify for the September 11 final.

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Despite his lack of wins, Southwind Gendry has, in fact, had a productive season thus far for Burke. The same can't be said for last year's Breeders Crown winner Summa Cum Laude.

"He's been a sh** show," said Burke, clearly referring to the numerous hurdles the Somebeachsomewhere-sired colt has been unable to avoid this year.

"I was happy with the last few starts and thought he was getting back to himself," said Burke. "We had him entered in last week's Somebeachsomewhere and when we were ready to ship, he spiked a 102 fever, so we had to scratch."

Though winless in seven starts this year, Summa Cum Laude could find his way back into the winner's circle soon. On Saturday he landed post seven but has found a field that has struggled to live up to expectations this year, as well. A less than perfect Perfect Sting remains a formidable threat nonetheless in this group, having finished first or second in seven of his eight starts in 2021. Perfect Sting landed post six for trainer Joe Holloway. The field also includes stakes winners Abuckabett Hanover (post three) and Whichwaytothebeach (post eight).

While Burke's sophomore pacers haven't shown the consistency yet at the top level, the same cannot be said for his older performers, specifically Atlanta.

"I don't think she's ever been better than she has in her last two starts," said Burke of the victories in an Invitational on August 21 at Pocono and a huge mile in the Steele on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. "The win at the Meadowlands, she blew right by When Dovescry, and she's been pretty good all year."

Atlanta seeks her second straight Maple Leaf Trot score on Saturday. The C$536,000 event goes as race eight, with Atlanta starting from post three.

"That's a good spot for her," said Burke.

Atlanta meets a solid group that includes longtime rival Manchego (post seven), as well as 2019 Hambletonian champion Forbidden Trade (post five). Beads (post two) has been a powerhouse this year for trainer Per Engblom, and the 4-year-old finally gets post consideration in the Maple Leaf, starting from post two.

Burke sends out two in the C$590,000 Canadian Pacing Derby (race 10), with This Is The Plan (post one) and Cattlewash (post six) entering the race in great form.

"The rail is a good spot for him," said Burke. "He can get out of the gate fast and get position."

This Is The Plan is in the midst of the best year of his illustrious career, with a dozen first-second finishes this year in but 16 starts. Yannick Gingras guides the son of Somebeachsomewhere.

Cattlewash enters the Canadian Pacing Derby after a less-than-impressive victory at Vernon Downs last Saturday night.

"We're going to have to change tactics with him," Burke said. "I think those 25 (second) first quarters are starting to take a toll on him. He's a special horse."

The Burke pair won't be alone in the Canadian Pacing Derby, with a host of Ontario-based and U.S. invaders making the contest a wide-open affair. Allywag Hanover (post seven) has been hitting on all cylinders for trainer Brett Pelling, and the 4-year-old gelding enters the Pacing Derby following a record-setting 1:47 2/5 score at Pocono on August 21.

Catch The Fire (post eight) has captured seven of his 11 starts this year for trainer Todd Luther. His recent success includes victories in the Dan Patch at Harrah's Hoosier Park (August 13) and a Sam McKee Memorial division at the Meadowlands on August 7.

Trainer Dr. Ian Moore has a solid pair that drew perfectly for the Pacing Derby in Tattoo Artist (post two) and Century Farroh (post four). Century Farroh finished third in the 2020 edition of the race behind the Burke-trained Dorsoduro Hanover.

The stakes-filled 13-race Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday program has a first post of 7:00 p.m.