North America Cup champ Nijinsky remained unbeaten on Canadian soil this season with a 1:48.4 victory over his stablemate, 1-5 favourite Legendary Hanover, in one of two Simcoe Stakes divisions for three-year-old pacers on Saturday night, Sept. 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Driven by Louis-Philippe Roy in the $167,000 open division, Nijinsky (pictured above) muscled off the gate alongside Calicojack Hanover (Tyler Jones), but settled for a spot in third as Calicojack Hanover marched forward to lead into a :27 first quarter. Roy stayed put with Nijinsky until hearing footsteps coming to a :54.2 half. With a rush, Nijinsky grabbed the lead before those footsteps of Legendary Hanover (James MacDonald) loomed nearer to the top.

Roy obliged to let Legendary Hanover take the lead into the final turn and stayed engaged from the two-hole heading to three-quarters in 1:21.2. But Nijinsky bullheadedly steamed ahead and overhauled Legendary Hanover in the final eighth to pull away to a 1-1/2-length win. Cupid Shuffle (Sylvain Filion) gave chase in third and Calicojack Hanover settled for fourth.   

“I couldn’t really ask for a better trip for my horse,” said Roy after the race. “Like I’ve always said, he’s handy and can do any kind of trip. Tonight was the best we could’ve hoped for.

“He has such a huge heart and that’s probably what made the difference tonight,” added Roy. “In the last turn, he almost feels like he struggles following Legendary Hanover – Legendary’s a big horse, strong and very gifted, [but] Nijinsky just doesn’t want to get beat. You make sure you have him a target and he’ll for sure give you more than 100 per cent of an effort.”

Anthony Beaton trains Nijinsky, a colt by Bettors Delight out of Pirouette Hanover, for owners West Wins Stable, John Fielding and Mark Dumain.

“It’s hard not to get anxious every time these two race,” said Beaton. “It’s been a special summer for us, all summer really. We just didn’t want to see them beat one another up… finish one-two, preferably. I thought 'Legendary' raced good, obviously Nijinsky got a great trip, and they both raced great to the wire. They’ll both, I’m sure, come out of it good and we’ll be onto the next event.”

Beaton indicated that next start may be the Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on Sept. 19.

In his career, Nijinsky has won 10 times from 20 starts. He’s now amassed $1,197,582.

Nijinsky returned $7.70 to win as the second wagering choice.  

An aggressive backstretch brush by Doug McNair with Pass Line proved the winning move in the $152,000 Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies as the Dave Menary trainee held off all comers in a 1:51.2 mile.

“There wasn’t a lot of speed early, so I made my mind up to rush her down the backside [and] it worked out good,” said McNair afterwards. “I think she had a little pop to her. She hasn’t been that good on the front yet this year, so I didn’t want to pop the plugs and open up a couple and then have her come to a stop on me. I just kept her going, crossed our fingers and she got lucky.”

McNair’s move came after a :28.2 first quarter to disrupt even-money favourite Odds On Platinum’s dawdle on the lead. Pass Line overtook Odds On Platinum (Sylvain Filion) before a :56.3 half and McNair kept her strong as Stonebridge Halo (Louis-Philippe Roy) mounted a first-over challenge to three-quarters in 1:24. Pass Line held her ground all through the lane as Odds On Platinum bobbled in and out for racetrack, finding room only late to take second by a length. Coco Jo Jo (Jody Jamieson) roared down the center of the track for third and Stonebridge Halo faded to fourth.  

“I wish both fillies were here tonight,” said Menary, who had to scratch likely favourite Its A Love Thing due to sickness. “But Pass Line picked up the slack and we’re happy to be holding the trophy. Tonight was a good confidence builder. I’ll talk to Ronnie [Burke] and the connections – I think they’re contemplating the Jugette with her, but I’ll leave that up to him and whatever it takes, we’ll get it done.”

Pass Line races for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Rich Lombardo Racing. An O'Brien Award winner at two, the daughter of All Bets Off out of Breakheart Pass won for just the second time this season in a dozen races and for the 12th time in 25 starts lifetime, good for $929,696 in earnings.

She paid $5.10 to win as the second choice.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(With files from Woodbine)