Woodbine Mohawk Park: Ramona Hill speeds to Breeders Crown triumph

Ramona Hill rebounded in style after suffering her first career defeat in her Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Trot elimination a week ago, showing tremendous early speed from post ten, working out a trip after that, and pouncing in the lane to win the C$786,000 final on Friday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:53 2/5 at odds of 14-1.

Driver Andrew McCarthy had the Tony Alagna-trained Ramona Hill on fire off the wings of the gate from the outside post, and she cleared the field before they got into the turn. Ramona Hill had 3 1/2 lengths on elimination winner Sister Sledge (Yannick Gingras) at the 27 second opening quarter, with the other elimination winner Ms Savannah Belle (Tim Tetrick) third and favored Hypnotic AM (Brian Sears) fourth.

"I've never asked her to do it because usually she's always just the best and I could take my time getting there, but I knew with the ten-hole today I had to try to make something happen," McCarthy said of his strategy. "There were some classy fillies inside of her, and I knew they could all get off the gate. I just had it in my head I'm just going to line her up and step her out of there and not worry about it for the first eighth and then just see where I'm at. It looked like I was three lengths in front, so it worked out great."

Sears moved Hypnotic AM to the outside in the second quarter, and she was able to clear Ramona Hill past the half, which went up in 56 seconds flat. Hypnotic AM got no breather after clearing as May Baby (James Yoder), who was left first-up, pressed her all the way around the final bend and forced her to a swift three-quarters of 1:23 4/5.

Hypnotic AM put May Baby away turning for home, but the battle and quick third quarter made Hypnotic AM vulnerable, and Ramona Hill was full of trot after McCarthy angled her out two-wide in the lane. She blew by Hypnotic AM, then ran up the score from there, winning by four lengths. Sister Sledge (Yannick Gingras), who stayed on the cones in the pocket and then the three-hole, was up for second, and Hypnotic AM faded to third. Madame Sherry (Matt Kakaley) split horses at long odds and was fourth, with Wine Rack Hanover (Sylvain Filion) fifth.

"It feels terrific," said McCarthy, who collected his first career Breeders Crown final win. "Even down in Australia Breeders Crowns are so prestigious, and it's just such a thrill to win one.

"(Post ten) was less than ideal, but it's still a win. It's only a number. She's so talented. She just wasn't quite herself last week, and that's how game she is. Any other horse probably would have made a break when they put in that bad step behind the gate. She came back up trotting, and I couldn't believe it. Tony's done a great job and made a few little adjustments. She was slick today. You saw how fast she left the gate, and I was backing her down well before the turn. We know how much speed she's got, and Tony did a great job getting her ironed out. She was very smooth, good gaited, and pleasant today."

Brad Grant, breeder Crawford Farms, Robert Leblanc, and In The Gym Partners own Ramona Hill, a Muscle Hill-Lock Down Lindy filly. She has put C$501,084 in the bank to go with her 6-0-1 record, and she returned $31.80 to win.

She is the first foal out of the dam, a daughter of Lucky Chucky who earned $192,929 and took a mark of 1:51 4/5 during her career. She was also trained by Alagna.

"There's a lot of good horses, and she's got room to improve. We don't think we've seen the best of her yet," said Grant. "I think we're done with her now (for 2019). Let her grow and bring her back. Probably head to the Carolinas for a little while, get some rest, and then down to Florida."

Robert LeBlanc, who is from Canada but now lives in Texas, also won his initial Breeders Crown.

"It's been a great ride. She's something special," he remarked. "When we got the ten-hole, all of us went 'we've still got a lot of confidence in this filly,' and we knew if she could leave and get position that she would be in there at the end. What a nice thrill."

Owner John Fodera of In The Gym Partners added, "This is a thrill for me and In The Gym Partners. We just hope to get in the winner's circle a few more times."