Woodbine Mohawk Park: Shalom Hanover, Eastie Boy tally in Metro eliminations
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Shalom Hanover and Eastie Boy won comfortably as heavy favorites in the pair of C$40,000 Metro eliminations for 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
In the first elimination Shalom Hanover got away third for driver Louis-Philippe Roy but brushed to the point past the 26 2/5 quarter. From there, Shalom Hanover clicked off the half in 55 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:23 2/5 before he sprinted home in 26 2/5 to defeat TH Theo (Doug McNair) by 4 1/4 lengths. Cattletracks (Scott Zeron), Rose Run Cowboy (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) and L A Captain (Bob McClure) also made the final.
Despite the facile win, the seventh in seven starts for Shalom Hanover, Roy did pull his earplugs and hit the wheel disc one time, something Roy indicated was by design with the Dr. Ian Moore trainee.
"I probably didn't need to, but Doc told me to make sure that I pull the plugs and let him kind of pace down the lane," noted Roy. "I'm a big believer in his training, and I felt like he didn't have to work much until then. When I asked him, he was just airborne there."
By Papi Rob Hanover, Shalom Hanover was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and is owned by Shalom Hanover Stable. He's earned C$452,891 and paid $2.10 to win.
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Dr. Moore is going for his second straight Metro title after winning last year with eventual Horse of the Year Beau Jangles.
"He's a different style of a colt. He's smaller and rugged," Dr. Moore said about the differences between Shalom Hanover and Beau Jangles. "He's not what you'd call a big colt. He's small to medium-sized, I guess. He's got the same kind of attitude and same desire as Beau Jangles. He's got a beautiful gait, as well, very efficient with what he does. He wants to race; he loves to race."
Eastie Boy (Wrenn Jr.) captured the second elimination by two lengths in 1:52 after he led through fractions of 28, 58 and 1:25 2/5. Global Choice (James MacDonald) rallied for second, followed by Big D Energy (Mark MacDonald), Vainqueur (Dexter Dunn) and High Rise Hanover (J.R. Plante).
"He's definitely matured throughout the season, and he's kind of coming into himself now. The last few starts he's raced terrific. Tonight he was well-within himself, and I'm looking forward to next week," Wrenn Jr. said about the full brother (Sweet Lou-Rockin Racer) to Louprint. "He tries hard and he's got tremendous speed, so I think there's a lot of upside with the colt. I think Shalom Hanover has definitely solidified himself as the favorite next week, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
A Ron Burke-trained homebred for Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and Phil Collura, Eastie Boy has a summary of 3-2-1 from eight appearances, has put away C$247,653 and returned $2.50 to win.