Woodbine Mohawk Park: Nijinsky, Pass Line prevail in Simcoe Stakes

Both second choices in the betting, Nijinsky and Pass Line each sprung mild surprises in their respective Simcoe Stakes divisions on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Pepsi North America Cup champ Nijinsky remained unbeaten this season on Canadian soil with a 1:48 4/5 victory in the C$167,000 Simcoe for 3-year-old male pacers over his stablemate, 1-5 favorite Legendary Hanover.

Nijinsky muscled off the gate alongside Calicojack Hanover, but settled for a spot in third as Calicojack Hanover marched forward to lead into a 27 second first quarter. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy stayed put with Nijinsky until hearing footsteps coming to a 54 2/5 half. With a rush, Nijinsky grabbed the lead before those footsteps of Legendary Hanover loomed nearer to the top.

Roy obliged to let Legendary Hanover take the lead into the final turn and stayed engaged from the two-hole coming to three-quarters in 1:21 2/5. But Nijinsky bullheadedly steamed ahead and overhauled Legendary Hanover in the final eighth to pull away to a 1 1/2 length win. Cupid Shuffle gave chase in third and Calicojack Hanover settled for fourth.

"I couldn't really ask for a better trip for my horse," Roy said after the race. "Like I've always said, he's handy and can do any kind of trip. Tonight was the best we could've hoped for.

"He has such a huge heart and that's probably what made the difference tonight. In the last turn, he almost feels like he struggles following Legendary Hanover – Legendary's a big horse, strong and very gifted, [but] Nijinsky just doesn't want to get beat. You make sure you have him a target, and he'll for sure give you more than 100 percent of an effort."

Anthony Beaton trains Nijinsky, a colt by Bettor's Delight, for owners West Wins Stable, John Fielding and Mark Dumain.

"It's hard not to get anxious every time these two race," Beaton said. "It's been a special summer for us, all summer really. We just didn't want to see them beat one another up...finish one-two, preferably. I thought Legendary raced good, obviously Nijinsky got a great trip, and they both raced great to the wire. They'll both, I'm sure, come out of it good and we'll be onto the next event."

Beaton indicated that next start may be the Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio, on Sept. 19.

In his career, Nijinsky has won 10 times from 20 starts. He's now amassed C$1,197,582 and returned $7.70 to win.

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An aggressive backstretch brush by Doug McNair with Pass Line proved the winning move in the $152,000 Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies as she held off all comers in a 1:51 2/5 mile.

"There wasn't a lot of speed early, so I made my mind up to rush her down the backside [and] it worked out good," McNair said after the race. "I think she had a little pop to her. She hasn't been that good on the front yet this year, so I didn't want to pop the plugs and open up a couple and then have her come to a stop on me. I just kept her going, crossed our fingers and she got lucky."

McNair's move came after a 28 2/5 first quarter to disrupt even-money favorite Odds On Platinum's dawdle on the lead. Pass Line overtook Odds On Platinum before a 56 3/5 half and McNair kept her strong as Stonebridge Halo mounted a first-over challenge to three-quarters in 1:24. Pass Line held her ground all through the lane as Odds On Platinum bobbled in and out for racetrack, finding room only late to take second by a length. Coco Jo Jo roared down the center of the track for third and Stonebridge Halo faded to fourth.

"I wish both fillies were here tonight," said trainer Dave Menary, who had to scratch likely favorite Its A Love Thing due to sickness. "But Pass Line picked up the slack and we're happy to be holding the trophy. Tonight was a good confidence builder. I'll talk to Ronnie [Burke] and the connections – I think they're contemplating the Jugette with her, but I'll leave that up to him and whatever it takes, we'll get it done."

Pass Line races for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino and Rich Lombardo Racing LLC. The daughter of All Bets Off won just for the second time this season and for the 12th time in 25 starts lifetime, good for $929,696 in earnings. She paid $5.10 to win.

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--