The first time Frank Baldachino got a look at two-year-old Moment Is Here, he saw a resemblance to the pacer’s father, All Bets Off. It was at that moment then Baldachino decided to get involved with the horse as an owner.

Moment Is Here, who competes Saturday in the first of two $40,000 eliminations of the Metro Pace for two-year-olds at Woodbine Mohawk Park, is from All Bets Off’s first crop as a sire. Moment Is Here was bred by Hall of Famer Bob McIntosh, who also trains the gelding and shares ownership with Al McIntosh Holdings, Mardon Stables and Baldachino.

Baldachino was among the owners of All Bets Off during the stallion’s racing days. All Bets Off, who joined the stable of trainer Ron Burke after his first seven starts at age two, concluded his six-year career in 2018 with more than $3.1 million in purses. He won 15 times on the Grand Circuit, with his most lucrative score coming in the 2014 Messenger Pace, and in addition was a New York Sire Stakes champion.

For his career, All Bets Off hit the board in 70 of 123 races, winning 30. He earned a paycheque 100 times.

“He was a godsend, pretty much,” said Baldachino. “When you buy a horse, you never think you’re going to get one that caliber, and when you do, you’re real thankful. You feel happy, blessed, for all the joy and excitement the horse brought you year after year. All Bets Off and [2017 Horse of the Year] Hannelore Hanover are the two best horses I’ve ever owned. They’re at the top of the list. He’s special.”

Baldachino knew McIntosh had several homebred two-year-olds by All Bets Off and, in January, asked the trainer how they were coming along.

“Bob said he couldn’t be happier at that point,” said Baldachino. “A couple days later, he said he had a really nice colt, Moment Is Here, and asked if I wanted to take a piece. I was interested. I asked him to send me some pictures, and once he did, I was in. The way he looked reminded me of his dad. He’s not big in size, but he’s muscular. He’s put together real nice. I was like, I’ve got to take a piece of this colt; he could be OK.”

In his career debut, Moment Is Here, out of the mare Breathtacular, won a conditioned race for two-year-olds at Mohawk in 1:53.4 with Trevor Henry in the sulky. Since then, he has started six times and posted two seconds, two thirds, a fourth and a fifth.

Last week, Moment Is Here finished third behind Save America and Ace Of Aces in the Champlain Stakes at Mohawk. A week earlier, he was third behind Stockade Seelster and Ace Of Aces in an Ontario Sires Stakes division. Stockade Seelster, who is undefeated in six starts, won in 1:49.3 – the fastest mile by a two-year-old in Ontario Sires Stakes history.

Save America, trained by Nancy Takter, is the 7-5 morning-line favourite in the first Metro Pace elimination. Stockade Seelster, trained by Ian Moore, is the 6-5 favourite in the second elim. The top five finishers from each elim will advance to the final on Sept. 24 at Mohawk.

Moment Is Here is 8-1 and will have regular driver Henry in the bike, leaving from post two.

“He’s been racing really well,” said Baldachino. “We’re very happy with him. He’s handy and he never gets tired. He’s always coming at the end of the mile, which is like his dad. He always had a lot of try to him, a lot of heart, a lot of determination. He’s really good gaited. He checks all the boxes as of right now.

“We’ll get a better gauge on Saturday night. We drew a good post and we’re looking forward to it. I’m not worried about him showing up. I know he’ll show up.”

Just like his old man.

“Every week All Bets Off was grinding,” said Baldachino. “He wouldn’t win all the time, but he would be right there at the wire. He wasn’t flashy but he got the job done. The real flashy part about him was his bank account. I’ll take that any day of the week.

“I think [Moment Is Here] will only get better as he gets older, just like 'Bets.' He seems to carry the same traits as his dad, so we’ll see.”

The Metro Pace eliminations are races four and eight on Saturday’s 12-race Mohawk card, which begins at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Also on the card is the $230,000 Milton Stakes final for older female pacers, where Test Of Faith is the 6-5 morning-line favourite, and two eliminations of the Shes A Great Lady Stakes for two-year-old female pacers.

For more information about Saturday’s card, click here.

(USTA)