Woodbine Mohawk Park: Highland Kismet shines in Goodtimes final
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Highland Kismet served notice on Saturday night that he's ready for bigger game, and that includes the first Saturday in August, with an imposing victory Woodbine Mohawk Park's C$225,000 Goodtimes Stakes for sophomore male trotters in a stakes record-tying 1:51 3/5 mile for driver Bob McClure.
Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, McClure purposely was off the gate at the outset, and that allowed a host of others to get the front first while Highland Kismet navigated traffic into the opening bend. First, Shermont and Trevor Henry cleared the front an eighth of a mile into the contest, then he yielded to Top Mast early on the first turn. McClure looked to challenge the front into the opening bend but was able to get a grip when forced wide by Private Access and Louis-Philippe Roy into the turn.
Top Mast gained control before the 27 2/5 opening quarter for Sylvain Filion, but Private Access was on the move and rolled to the front off the bend. McClure wasted no time and put the Father Patrick-sired Highland Kismet into gear, and the pair swept to the front at the 55 3/5 half. The outer flow picked up on the final turn, with Pick Pocket coming up without cover and Winter Soldier on his back. Roy sensed the pace slowing and popped the pocket right before Highland Kismet hit three-quarters in a rated 1:24 4/5.
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A duel ensued but only briefly between Highland Kismet and Private Access, but Roy threw up the red flag soon after and ducked in behind for cover as Highland Kismet accelerated with powerful strides and sprinted a 26 4/5 final quarter to complete the mile, his fourth win in five tries for trainer Mark Etsell. Private Access was well clear for second, with Top Mast third over the line.
"He's two fingers to drive," said McClure. "He's like driving a pacer."
A homebred of Mary Clark's Highland Thoroughbred Farm, Highland Kismet returned $2.90 as the prohibitive choice.
"It's been a bit of a surprise," said Etsell about the rapid progress Highland Kismet has made this year after going unraced as a juvenile. "He's a real professional."