Woodbine Mohawk Park: Distaffers duel in elims for Armbro Flight, Fan Hanover

Judging by the performances of the fillies and mares competing in tonight's eliminations for the Armbro Flight and Fan Hanover stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park, their finals on the undercard of North America Cup night next Saturday should be very impressive.

The two C$35,000 eliminations of the Armbro Flight for trotting mares saw last year's top distaffers Raised By Lindy and Bella Bellini record their first 2023 victories.

The first test saw Raised By Lindy trot by the opening panel in 28 1/5 for Yannick Gingras. Bob McClure then had Warrawee Xenia up to challenge and was at the leader's wheel at the 56 2/5 half, but Raised By Lindy continued with a length lead by the 1:24 three-quarters. Through the stretch, she held off a late rush by Refined to win in 1:51 1/5 and equal her lifetime-best clocking. HP Mama B, Warrawee Xenia and Swans Eye earned the remaining nods into next week's final.

It was the first win in two tries this year for Raised By Lindy, a homebred 4-year-old daughter of Walner owned by Lindy Farms and trained by Domenico Cecere.

"She was great tonight and I'm very happy with that her second start his year, I've been impressed with her; she needed the race," said Cecere of the winner of C$779,000 to date in her career.

In the second split Adare Castle was sent directly to the front by James MacDonald, and she clicked off fractions of 27 4/5, 56 3/5 and 1:24 3/5. Down the stretch Dexter Dunn had Bella Bellini out from second to challenge the leader, and they went on by to win in 1:51 3/5. Adare Castle had to be content with second this night, followed by Mischevious Rose, Call Me Dani and Disclosure.

Now five, Bella Bellini was making her first trip to the winner's circle after four tries this year. The winner of well over C$2 million in her career is owned by breeder David McDuffee and trained by Richard "Nifty" Norman.

"That worked out pretty nicely," Norman smiled after his mare's win. "She had a good winter, she put on a lot of weight and she's a year older. We had some trouble getting her as fit as she needed to be. Now she's had some races in a row, and she was better tonight. I was really happy with her. Coming back next week will do her good, she's trimmed up a bit and raced better."

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Moving over to the pacers, sophomore fillies to be precise, Twin B Joe Fresh took the first C$35,000 Fan Hanover elim in wire-to-wire fashion for co-owner/driver Dexter Dunn. The Roll With Joe daughter put up fractions of 27 2/5, 55 1/5 and 1:21 4/5 and held on to win in 1:49. Cultured closed well to take second with Zanatta, Lyons Bettorday and One Last Wish also qualifying for next week's final.

"She had a great 2-year-old year (winning $598,000); all the credit goes to Chris [trainer Chris Ryder]. She's been fun so far," noted Dunn, who co-owns Twin B Joe Fresh with Ryder, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak.

In the second elimination Beach Cowgirl was at opening quarter in 26 3/5. Up to challenge before the 56 second half was Sylvia Hanover, who was at the leader's halter by the 1:22 3/5 third quarter. Sylvia Hanover drew clear down the lane for Bob McClure to win in 1:49 2/5, a new life's-best badge. Beach Cowgirl, Charleston, Ucandoit Blue Chip and Vivians Dream also advanced for a spot in next week's final.

A daughter of Always B Miki trained by Shawn Steacy for Hudson Standardbreds Inc., Sylvia Hanover is now two-for-two this year following a 8-1-0 debut season from nine starts.

"She was towing me, she wanted to get at it pretty good. I was trying to rate her. She's been off a little while, so I figured she'd be short, but she's straight to the wire, strong. Every time you think she's going to have an off night she comes through with a bigger night. I count my blessings every week I get to hold the lines on her," said McClure, who noted the filly is far better with a target.

"I was holding my breath. She saw a lot of air. For any horse to keep going forward the way she did, that's very impressive," added Steacy. "She's an incredible horse."

Here are the post positions for next Saturday's finals:

C$210,000 Armbro Flight

1 - Refined
2 - Disclosure
3 - Raised By Lindy
4 - Warrawee Xenia
5 - Bella Bellini
6 - Adare Castle
7 - Call Me Dani
8 - HP Mama B
9 - Swans Eye
10 - Mischevious Rose

C$420.000 Fan Hanover

1 - Lyons Bettorday
2 - Ucandoit Blue Chip
3 - Twin B Joe Fresh
4 - Zanatta
5 - Sylvia Hanover
6 - Charleston
7 - One Last Wish
8 - Beach Cowgirl
9 - Cultured
10 - Vivians Dream

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--