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Publicerad 1999-09-08
Track Records Fall As Grand Circuit Week Visits Mohawk
Campbellville, Ontario, September 7, 1999... After torrential rainfall and a lightning storm wiped out most of Mohawk Raceway's first program of the fall meet on Monday, three of the four Grand Circuit Stakes were re-scheduled prior to the beginning of Tuesday evening's card.
The 24-hour delay certainly didn't leave any ill effects on Botany Bay in a $119,275 division of the Champlain Stakes for two year-old trotting colts.
Already a two-time Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series winner through his first seven starts, the Super Pleasure-Armbro Loon gelding continued his heroics by shattering the track record with a dominant 1:56.4 performance for driver Bill Gale. Leaving from post position seven, Botany Bay sprinted right to the front and led through fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:27.4 and then cruised home to a 1 3/4 length victory over Nunsuchthing (Pine Chip).
"I wanted to leave with him, but it wasn't my game plan to try and wire the field," said Gale. "This is a very good trotter. The track was super and he just floated across it."
"He's been a natural since day one," added trainer Jim Haddon, whose wife Robin Macleod shares ownership on Botany Bay with Fred and Layhoon Chan Brunner and Ron Piers. "We just kept our fingers crossed that everything stayed the same. He's a low key horse, he's a gelding, and just takes everything in stride."
In winning, Botany Bay defeated a field which included such highly-regarded colts as Smokn Lantern ($301,450) and Berndt Hanover ($122,678). Berndt Hanover (Valley Victory-Beat The Wheel) finished third for Mike Lachance while Smokn Lantern (Pine Chip-Armbro Lantern), who had won four of his first five lifetime starts, was never a factor, finishing tenth.
Though Botany Bay had never faced grand circuit colts before, Haddon was confident in his colt's abilities.
"That was some concern because usually American breds go by Canadian breds, but he's different. Obviously, he's a good one. He trotted a hundred miles an hour in the field right from day one."
Botany Bay's next start will come in the Campbellville Stakes at Mohawk on September 13 and after more Ontario Sires Stakes action, he will be pointed towards the prestigious Breeders Crown, also at Mohawk in October. It was his sixth win in eight starts and the winner's share of $59,637 bumped his bank account to $212,678.
The other $117,275 Grand Circuit division for trotting colts was able to get off Monday before a division of the Champlain for two year-old trotting colts.
Chelemark Bert benefitted from fast fractions set up front by Image Of Speed, and then used the long Mohawk stretch to his advantage in scoring a 4 ½ victory for driver Steve Condren in 1:58.3. The mile equaled Armbro Scorpion's track record but lasted less than 24 hours until Botany Bay's sterling effort.
"We got a few breaks in our favour," said Condren. "They went pretty good to the half and I got away in good shape in fifth and a couple horses made breaks. He laid off the early speed and picked them all up late. I moved first up but he's a pretty green colt so he doesn't know if he's first up or second over, and he's just one of those colts who keeps on digging. We were really fortunate to get the win. We were hoping for a good cheque and the win was definitely a bonus."
A Balanced Image-Berto Cathy homebred of owner Doug Millard of Woodstock, Ontario, Chelemark Bert is trained by Brad Maxwell. He entered the Champlain off two career starts, both seconds in the O.S.S. The win boosted his earnings to $89,510.
Track records continued to fall on the regularly scheduled Tuesday program. The two year-old trotting fillies lowered the former 1:58.3 mark twice from the three divisions.
In the second $88,893 division of the Champlain Stakes, trainer/driver Tom Durand guided Casual Breeze (King Conch) to a handy 3 1/4 length triumph in 1:58.1 over Aviano (Pine Chip) and Astraea Hanover (Valley Victory), despite starting from the outside post position ten.
It was the fourth win in seven tries this year for Casual Breeze, owned by Ron and Jonathan Durand. She now sports earnings of $121,779.
Not to be outdone by Casual Breeze, Day For Night also overcame post ten in the second division, to score for Luc Ouellette in 1:57.4. Southwind Emerald (Pine Chip) was a neck back in second, with Maritas Victory (Valley Victory) third.
"She's a sweetheart," said winning driver Luc Ouellette. "I was able to leave out of there and get good position. I could have taken her back to tenth but I was able to leave and get a spot with her. We did get lucky when a horse made a break and something opened up for us. She ended up getting a nice trip. She's a sure footed sweetheart. She'll go a second faster next week."
A daughter of Donerail-Victorious Tail, the regally-bred Day For Night, who is trained by Per Eriksson, is a half-sister to stars Comets Tail and Kick Tail. She is co-owned by breeder Al Libfeld with partners Marvin Katz and Sam Goldband.
In the first split worth $86,893, 19-1 longshot B Cor Janice caught Soulful Hanover (Balanced Image) in the closing strides to win by a neck in 1:59.2 for trainer/driver Bill Gale. Northern Jewel (Garland Lobell) closed for third.
The King Conch-B Cor Jenny homebred of owner Bill Core, earned her first win in three lifetime starts.
Grand Circuit Stakes action continues at Mohawk through September 11.
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