Woodbine Mohawk Park: Finalists settled for Milton Stakes after two elims

Kissin In The Sand and Jody Jamieson drove past odds-on favorite Warrawee Ubeaut to capture the first of two C$35,000 eliminations of the Milton Stakes for open pacing mares at Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday night. The Nancy Takter-trained mare, sent off as the 3-1 second choice, scored in 1:49 2/5, winning for just the second time this year in six tries.

Warrawee Ubeaut and Yannick Gingras secured the front at the 26 3/5 opening quarter and cut rated fractions of 54 4/5 and 1:22 2/5 heading into the homestretch. In the meantime, it was Kissin In The Sand mired in fourth along the pylons and appearing to lack room and closeness to the chalk heading into the stretch.

Warrawee Ubeaut appeared home in midstretch, but towards the final part of the mile she slowed up noticeably. Jamieson angled Kissin In The Sand out in the early stretch, and the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere charged home impressively to collar the leader late. Warrawee Ubeaut held for second, with Treacherous Reign, Lit De Rose, and Stonebridge Soul following her into the final.

"It just worked out," said Jamieson after the race, knowing well how lucky he needed to be to escape traffic and track down the favorite.

Kissin In The Sand, owned by Marvn Katz and Hatfield Stables, returned $8.10 for a win wager.

Trillions Hanover and driver Bob McClure posted a mild upset, capturing the second Milton elimination in 1:50 3/5, holding off a determined bid by So Much More, with favored Caviart Ally third in a tight photo.

Tall Drink Hanover, with Gingras, blasted to the front before the turn and cut the opening fraction of 26 4/5. Trillions Hanover made a brisk move to the front past the 55 4/5 half, and McClure kept the pace lively as Boadicea moved without cover, followed by Caviart Ally in a second-over position.

After three-quarters was clocked in 1:23 1/5, McClure got some separation with Trillions Hanover, and the 4-year-old by Somebeachsomewhere sprinted hard to the wire, with her final quarter in 27 2/5, as both Caviart Ally and So Much More closed in gradually. McClure urged his mare on, and she responded for her second win in nine starts this year for trainer Tom Fanning. Philly Hanover and Boadicea return for next week's final as well.

Trillions Hanover is owned by VIP Internet Stable, Falcon Racing, and Paul Lang. She returned $10 to win.

"She's got a big heart and big lungs," said McClure following the race. "Yannick (Gingras behind Tall Drink Hanover) didn't seem like he wanted the lead, and they weren't going much, so I thought I would give her a chance on the front."

This is how the group of mares will line up behind the gate for next Saturday's C$215,000 final:

1-Treacherous Reign
2-Warrawee Ubeaut
3-Kissin In The Sand
4-Trillions Hanover
5-Boadicea
6-So Much More
7-Philly Hanover
8-Lit De Rose
9-Stonebridge Soul
10-Caviart Ally
AE-Sunny Dee