The stage is set for the $466,000 Peaceful Way Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies, and it was driver Sylvain Filion who had the hot hands in Thursday’s trio of $30,000 eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack
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Martiniontherocks was sent off as a 2-5 favourite in the opening elimination, and she didn’t disappoint her backers. The Dustin Jones-trained daughter of Conway Hall-Inspired Society didn’t touch down on the lead until just before the half flashed up in :59.4, but that didn’t stop her from winning by a one-length margin over First Flower (Jason Brewer) in 1:59.3. As Yall Like It (Ron Pierce) rounded out the top three finishers.
“Once we cleared I was pretty optimistic; she got a little lazy on me but turning for home she got in gear,” said driver Sylvain Filion. “They’re not used to racing in that kind of weather and this track is a little wet; it’s different. It was good enough to win, and that’s the important part. At least we get to pick our position for the final. She got a little bit on the left line tonight, but I think that’s just greenness. I think she’s better off cover, but we’ll see in the final.”
Martiniontherocks, who was a $40,000 purchase at last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, is owned by Ecurie Synergie of Montreal QC. The victory was her third of the season from just six attempts, the lion’s share of the purse lifted her lifetime earnings to $84,965.
Crys Dream, fresh off her win in the Champlain Stakes, took the second elimination in 1:56.4 for driver Luc Ouellette. He had the daughter of Taurus Dream-Crystas Image on the lead at the quarter pole in :28.2 before briefly giving way to Fitness Girl (Steve Condren). Ouellette quickly looped that foe and laid down middle splits of :58 and 1:27.4 before kicking home in :29-seconds. Hey Mister (Brian Sears) was second best and despite making a break Lukes Sophie (Jody Jamieson) came on late to finish third.
“Our filly felt good through the stretch,” said driver Luc Ouellette. “She’s been there before; she was there last week so she went back this week without being stretch. Last week the track got a little worse and the other divisions went a little slower, but before the race our connections thought we were in tough tonight. But I told them if we want to good in the final we have to do good tonight.”
Henrik Hollsten conditions the homebred filly for Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme of Knowlton, QC. The victory was her fourth of the campaign in just five assignments. She has stashed away just shy of $100,000 to date.
Intense America gave driver Sylvain Filion his second elimination score of the evening when she pulled off a 20-1 shocker in her $30,000 assignment. The daughter of Taurus Dream-Intensite rallied to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:56.4 over Oh Sweet Baby (Mario Baillargeon). Despite making an early break Lady Rainbow (Rick Zeron) rallied to finish fourth, and was then placed third when the original third place finisher, Celebrity Katie (Brett Miller), was placed eighth as a result of her driver violating the urging rule in the stretch.
"I didn't know much about her(Intense America), I spoke to the connections and they said that she had lots of go," Sylvain Filion commented in the winners circle. "When I pulled her first over she really wanted to go, I had to take a hold of her and rate her. She was real strong going to the wire and felt good."
Normand Bardier, Jr. trains the lightly-raced lass for Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc of Montreal, QC.
Elimination winners earned their connections the right to select a post position for the $466,000 final of the Peaceful Way Stakes, which goes postward on Saturday, September 18. Here’s how they’ll line up on the gate:
$466,000 Peaceful Way Stakes Final
1. Lady Rainbow
2. First Flower
3. Martiniontherocks
4. Crys Dream
5. Intense America
6. Musclemad
7. Lukes Sophie
8. As Yall Like it
9. Hey Mister
10. Oh Sweet Baby
To view Thursday’s results, click here.