Woodbine Mohawk Park: Metro elims to Tall Dark Stranger, Capt Midnight

Tall Dark Stranger remained undefeated but needed the entire stretch to capture the first of two C$40,000 eliminations for the Metro Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night. A 2-year-old son of Bettor's Delight, Tall Dark Stranger wore down Papi Rob Hanover in the final stride of a 1:50 1/5 mile to win for the fifth time in as many starts.

Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Papi Rob Hanover left along with Tall Dark Stranger and Captain Kirk, but heading into the opening bend Papi Rob Hanover and David Miller emerged with the lead and seated the 2-5 favorite Tall Dark Stranger, with Captain Kirk settling in third. Papi Rob Hanover controlled the action through fractions of 27 2/5, 55 3/5, and 1:22 2/5 before Gingras pulled the pocket with Tall Dark Stranger and the stretch drive ensued. Miller was mostly shaking the lines behind Papi Rob Hanover and maintained an edge through much of the stretch. Yet late in the lane Gingras became more assertive with his actions, and Tall Dark Stranger cut into the lead and went by near the wire to score by a head over his valiant rival. Seeyou At Thebeach rallied for third, with Team Best and Captain Kirk also advancing to the final.

"I thought it was important to give him a cover trip," said Gingras of the strategy to sit behind the pacemaker. "I think this race will do good for him going forward."

Crawford Farms, Caviart Farms, Marvin Katz, and Howard Taylor share ownership in Tall Dark Stranger, and Nancy Johansson is his trainer. Tall Dark Stranger returned $2.90 for the victory.

Capt Midnight left no doubt in the second Metro elimination as Andy McCarthy guided the strapping son of Captaintreacherous to the easiest kind of victory, scoring in 1:51 4/5 while under grips.

Esai Hanover left with purpose from the rail, seating Beach Blanket Book and Capt Midnight in the early stages and marching to the quarter in 27 4/5. McCarthy moved past that point to the lead and caught everybody napping, hitting the half in 57 seconds flat with no real threats in close proximity.

Capt Midnight picked up the action on the turn with a 27 2/5 third quarter, yet still there was no serious threat, and driver McCarthy didn't tax his horse one bit, sprinting clear of the field with another 27 2/5 quarter home. The battle for minor honors was a bit more impressive as YS Mathis out-gamed the rest, with Beach Blanket Book third and One For Julius closing fastest late for fourth. Early pace-setter Esai Hanover finished fifth and qualified for the final as well.

Owned by Capt Midnight Stable, Marvin Katz, Bradley Grant, and Ken Jacobs, Capt Midnight won for the fifth straight time, all over the Woodbine Mohawk Park surface for trainer Tony Alagna and returned $2.30 to win.

"He's a weapon," said McCarthy of the obvious prowess of the $350,000 purchase from the second crop of Captaintreacherous. "He's very, very special. You get goosebumps. It's a different feeling from other horses."

Here is the draw for next Saturday night's C$750,000 final:

1 – YS Mathis
2 – Seeyou At Thebeach
3 – Capt Midnight
4 – Tall Dark Stranger
5 – Captain Kirk
6 – Team Best
7 – One For Julius
8 – Esai Hanover
9 – Papi Rob Hanover
10 – Beach Blanket Book
AE – Allywag Hanover