Woodbine Mohawk Park: Favorites finish first in Champlain Stakes
"What she did tonight was an exceptional effort," praised trainer Shawn Steacy of his rookie filly Sylvia Hanover, who established a new stakes record of 1:50 2/5 with an impressive performance in Saturday's lone Champlain Stakes division for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
As the race got underway it was Bankers Luck in control early, and she hit the opener for James MacDonald in 26 3/5. Bob McClure then had Sylvia Hanover in the outside lane, and they took command well before the 55 3/5 half. Bellisima Hanover came calling at the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters, but Sylvia Hanover was not to be denied this night.
The daughter of Always B Miki opened up through the lane with McClure sitting chilly and tripped the timer in 1:50 2/5. The time shaved four-fifths of a second off the previous record established by Reflect With Me three years ago. Caviart Davia got up for second with Bellisima Hanover staying for third.
It was the third straight win for Sylvia Hanover, owned by Hudson Standardbred of Hudson, Quebec. She came into tonight's contest off wins in the Eternal Camnation and the Whenuwishuponastar final. The winner's share of the Champlain's C$167,200 purse put her earnings over C$200,000, and her summary is now four wins and one second in just five starts.
Her connections agree that it took a bit of time for her to get the message on racing, but she's now hearing it loud and clear.
"Like I've said before, she started out lazy, but she's just getting better and better, stronger and stronger and more professional all the time," noted Steacy, who confirmed that next up on her dance card are the She's A Great Lady eliminations next weekend at the Campbellville, Ontario, track.
"She's always been strong, but now she's turning into a real racehorse. Needless to say, she was awesome tonight," said McClure. "She was really good down the lane, very strong, ears up through the wire."
Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and sold as a yearling for $135,000, Sylvia Hanover is a sister to C$2 million winner Western Fame. Their dam, Shyaway, earned over C$140,000 in her racing career and finished second, by a head, in her Champlain division exactly 12 years ago tomorrow.
Save America pulls out Champlain victory
Save America gave his connections anxious moments late en route to victory in the C$185,250 Champlain Stakes on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
An overflow field of 11 contested the Champlain for 2-year-old male pacers.
Ace Of Aces blasted out strong to grab command, posting a snappy 26 2/5 opener. Race favorite Save America stayed out on the first turn and surged up to the lead for driver Yannick Gingras. The public's top choice led by the half in 55 1/5 and three-quarters in 1:23 2/5.
In the stretch, Ace Of Aces angled out from second and inched on near even-terms with Save America, who started to put in bumpy steps in the final eighth. However, Gingras kept Save America together and powering forward to hold off Ace Of Aces by half a length in 1:50 2/5.
"I've been saying all along how he's a little bit dumb in a good way, that he really didn't know what he was doing, but tonight he knew he was racing, and he was a bit of a handful in the post parade," said Gingras of Save America. "I would've loved to get away fourth in the hole, but he really didn't want any part of it."
Gingras noted that the bobbles in the stretch by Save America have now happened in back-to-back starts, but the rookie quickly straightened out and dug in.
A son of Captaintreacherous, Save America is now three-for-four to begin his career. The youngster has stakes victories in a leg of the Kindergarten, division of the Nassagaweya and division of the Champlain.
A $300,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase, Save America has earned C$168,850 for owners 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms. He paid $3.80 to win.
Trainer Nancy Takter confirmed post-race that Save America will compete in next Saturday's Metro Pace eliminations.
--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--