Crys Dream, Global Desire and Martiniontherocks were all victorious in their respective Champlain Stakes divisions for two-year-old filly trotters over a track rated as 'good' on Thursday night at Mohawk Racetrack

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When race favourite Thatsnotmyname made a break in stride just after the start of the opening $97,130 split, it opened the door the rest of the field and it was Crys Dream stepping up to the plate for driver Luc Ouellette to score in 1:56.2.

Ouellette, who was driving the daughter of Taurus Dream–Crystas Image for the first time, got her away third through a :28.3 first quarter before moving her to the front in the second panel. Lukes Sophie was caught first-over and pushed the tempo setter past a half in :58.2 and three-quarters in 1:27.1.

Crys Dream held the advantage as the field turned for home and eventually disposed of the determined challenger with a :29.1 final quarter to close the deal. Lukes Sophie held gamely for the place spot with Refuse To Lose finishing well back in third. The winner returned $12.90 in the mild upset.

“I’d seen her race lots of times before and knew she was a good-gaited filly with great manners,” commented Ouellette afterwards from the winner’s circle. “I didn’t realize how deep she was though. When I saw the 10 (Thatsnotmyname) wasn’t around I moved my filly to the front and her ears were up all the way. She was only under mild urging to win.”

It was the third win in four starts this season for the filly who earlier captured the $50,000 In Free Trotting Series Final. She improved her seasonal earnings to just over $85,000 for trainer Henrik Hollsten and owner Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme of Knowlton, Quebec.

Global Desire used a similar approach to deliver as the bettor’s choice in the second division for driver Ron Pierce in 1:58.3. The daughter of Yankee Glide-Cressida Hanover parked well past the first quarter before powering to the front in the backstretch. She remained strong up front and won going away at the end over a closing First Flower with As Yall Like It rounding out the top three.

“She had to do it the hard way tonight,” said winning trainer Jimmy Takter. “I told Ronnie she was better being up in contention, but there were no holes so she had to go the front. She hadn’t raced in four weeks, so she needed that race. She’s definitely a player in the division.”

The win was the second in five outings this season for the filly who is a full sister to Hambletonian winner Glidemaster. Owned by Brittany Farms of Versailles, Kentucky, the filly returned $4.80 while pushing her bankroll to just past $132,000 this season.

Martiniontherocks was an impressive winner in the final split as she took early command for driver Sylvain Filion and then overpowered her rivals with a strong 1:57.3 effort. She used a :28.3 final quarter in winning which was remarkable considering the track became more tiring as the night wore on due to the earlier rain showers.

Lady Rainbow rallied impressively to finish a strong second with Raising Rhonda picking up the show position.

“I was a little concerned early because she had to work to make the lead,” said Filion. “She’s a small filly but she’s all guts and she proved that tonight. A slow middle half helped for sure but that was a big final quarter. She’s just getting better every week.”

The win was the second in five trips postward for the daughter of Conway Hall–Inspired Society who is trained by Dustin Jones for Ecurie Synergie of Montreal, Quebec. The lion’s share of the purse elevated her seasonal earnings to just shy of $70,000.

(WEG)

To view Thursday’s results, click here.