Woodbine Mohawk Park: Manchego knocks off Atlanta in Casual Breeze

The first battle between Hambletonian winner Atlanta and Hambletonian Oaks champion Manchego went Manchego's way, with the daughter of Muscle Hill winning the C$136,000 Casual Breeze for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:51 4/5, tying the track record.

Manchego (Yannick Gingras) got the jump on Atlanta (Scott Zeron) from the out-set, as Manchego rolled away quickly from post eight and took the lead away from Smoke And Mirrors (Trevor Henry) passing the 27 3/5 opening quarter. Atlanta settled into third and remained there as Manchego got to the half in just 56 2/5, then tipped into a first-over position.

Atlanta was able to tuck into the pocket on the far turn and was in that spot as Manchego clicked off three-quarters in 1:24 1/5, but she couldn't get any closer in the lane, as Manchego easily fought her off, winning by a length and three-quarters. Sorceress Seelster (Scott Wray) finished well-back in third.

"A lot of people didn't have the hopes maybe that me, Jimmy, and our crew had on our filly," said Gingras. "Everybody was talking about Atlanta and rightfully so. She's a great filly too, but I never lost confidence in mine. All along I thought that I had the best filly. Of course it's just one match-up. I said before they'll meet up again many times, but my filly was super strong tonight.

"I thought maybe I'd get away second behind him, but of course when I was able to grab the lead I was happy about that. I think either way, at least tonight, even if he cut the mile I'd have beaten him anyway. When he dropped on my back, my filly felt so strong I figured he'd have to go one hell of a quarter to beat me. I had some left too; we saved some for the next race."

Manchego, who scored her 18th win from 21 lifetime starts, is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners Black Horse Racing, John Fielding, and Herb Liverman. The 4-5 favorite, Manchego paid $3.60 to win, and she ran her own bankroll to C$1,428,120.