Woodbine Mohawk Park: Eliminations held for Maple Leaf Trot

Guardian Angel AS and Crystal Fashion captured a pair of C$40,000 eliminations for the Maple Leaf Trot on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park, earning the right to choose their post positions for the lucrative final slated for August 31.

In the first elimination Guardian Angel AS, with Tim Tetrick, refused to take a tuck early and instead drove up past second choice Atlanta to gain control in a rather pedestrian 28 second first quarter. Tetrick was in no rush and backed the half to 57 1/5 before picking up the pace on the backstretch and leaving the uncovered Cruzado Dela Noche struggling to advance.

With a third fraction clocked in 1:24 3/5, Tetrick kept Guardian Angel AS in control, but Atlanta and Yannick Gingras popped the pocket and put a scare into the 4-5 favorite for much of the early stretch. Guardian Angel AS dug in gamely and edged away from his rival to score in 1:51 4/5 ahead of Atlanta, with Speeding Spur, Dream Together, and Dancer Hall all earning berths for the final.

"My horse was strong. I think the biggest difference in him this year is mental capacity," said Tetrick, "He waits on horses and then takes off."

Anette Lorentzon trains Guardian Angel AS for ACL Stuteri AB and Kjell Johansson. He returned $3.70 as the pubic choice.

The second elimination was a match race early for the mares as Hannelore Hanover seated rival Manchego heading into the first turn and cut a 27 3/5 opening quarter. Second choice Crystal Fashion made a solid move on the backstretch for control, hitting the half in :56 1/5. Andy McCarthy energized Manchego to go first-over, with favored Six Pack on her back briefly but unable to follow in close proximity through the 1:24 1/5 three quarter clocking.

David Miller called on Crystal Fashion entering the stretch, and the 4-year-old Cantab Hall-sired gelding took off and left the field in the dust. Marion Marauder made a solid bid late for second, with Six Pack, Manchego, and Emoticon Hanover reaching the final. Early leader Hannelore Hanover made a break on the final turn, losing all chance.

Trained by Jim Campbell and owned by Jules Siegel's Fashion Farms, Crystal Fashion returned $6.40 for the victory.

"They were starting to back it down," said Miller. "I didn't want to have to come first-over, so I moved him to the front."

Campbell was informed that Crystal Fashion is now two-for-two at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

"I hope he keeps it going," Campbell replied.

Here is the draw for the C$600,000 final next Saturday:

1-Six Pack
2-Crystal Fashion
3-Guardian Angel AS
4-Speeding Spur
5-Dancer Hall
6-Dream Together
7-Manchego
8-Marion Marauder
9-Emoticon Hanover
10-Atlanta
AE-Run Director