Stars Spar In Somebeachsomewhere
Woodbine Mohawk Park is gearing up for a monster month with the Pepsi North America Cup looming, but the Glamour Boy division was on display Saturday night at the Campbellville, Ont. oval in two divisions of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes.
Century Farroh was a popular winner in his $80,000 division to keep this year’s perfect record intact. It’s now four starts and four wins for the son of Mach Three-Beachy Girl.
Sylvain Filion sat a pocket trip behind Bettor Up through an opening quarter of :28.2, but Century Farroh was put into gear when they hit the backstretch. Century Farroh easily muscled his way to the top, and once he got there he led the field through middle intervals of :56.4 and 1:25.4. He sprinted home in :27 to win by a neck over the hard-charging Caviart Rockland in 1:52.4. Better Up was third.
“Any time a horse wins it boosts their confidence and morale pretty good, so it’s just going to make him better and stronger,” said trainer Dr. Ian Moore. “It’s kind of neat how it worked out for us that a couple of times we drawn what appeared to be the easier division on paper, we’ll let the other guys battle tonight and sooner or later we’ll hook up with them.
The eight-time winner is owned by Ratchford Stable NS of North Sydney, NS. The $40,000 payday bumped his bankroll to $179,133.
Tyga Hanover pulled off a 19-1 stunner in the second division for driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Ben Baillargeon.
Filion put his charge onto the lead early, but after cutting the opening quarter in :27.1 they gave way to Best In Show. The new leader led the group through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:24.2 before coming under heavy pressure from Stag Party. It was Stag Party who grabbed the lead in the lane, but he couldn’t sustain his drive to the line. Tyga Hanover shook loose in the lane and stormed home in :27.2 to win by a length over Best In Show in 1:52.1. Stag Party was third.
“We knew he had the speed, but it’s different having the speed and racing against tough horses,” said trainer Ben Baillargeon, who will now send Tyga Hanover to the Pepsi North America Cup. “If he would’ve raced good we would go. He raced more than good, so we will definitely go.”
The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Transference is owned by the Rankins – Tom, Elizabeth and Glenn. The gelding, who went winless in six starts as a freshman, now owns a 3-for-4 record this season. The $40,000 payday boosted his cash stash to $68,530.
It was an exceptional night for the broodmare, Transference, who celebrated another pair of victories on the same card.
Torrin Hanover, by Well Said, rallied to a 1:52.4 score in Race 4 followed by Traceur Hanover, by Western Ideal, going down the road in Race 11 in a time of 1:51.3.
All three siblings hail from the barn of trainer Ben Baillargeon.
(With quotes from Woodbine Mohawk Park)
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.