Filion Sweeps Champlain Stakes
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Wheeling N Dealin remains undefeated after lowering the stakes record in his Champlain Stakes division on Friday night at Mohawk Racetrack.
The Dustin Jones-trained Wheeling N Dealin captured the first $140,914 split in 1:55-flat, which is also one-fifth of a second shy of the track record for two-year-old trotting colts.
Wheeling N Dealin and driver Sylvain Filion got away fourth behind tempo-setter Murmur Hanover (Mario Baillargeon), who marched past the first quarter in :27.3. As the field hit the mid-way point in :57-seconds, the Peter Haughton Memorial winner, Aperfectyankee (Jim Oscarsson), launched a first-over bid for command from third with Wheeling N Dealin catching second-over cover.
Murmur Hanover was able to hold the front past the three-quarters in 1:25.4, but at the head of the lane, Wheeling N Dealin was fed open racetrack. The rookie utilized a :28.3 final frame to score the one and a quarter length victory. Aperfectyankee, the 4-5 favourite, stayed for second and Murmur Hanover faded to third.
“We got a pretty nice trip out there and he responded well,” said Filion from the winner’s circle. “I just love this horse. He makes me look good.”
The son of Cantab Hall-Quick Credit has a perfect five-for-five record in his debut season, which includes a sweep of the Bridger Trotting Series at Mohawk. With the victory, the colt pushed his earning to $129,457 for owner Ecurie Synergie of Montreal, Que.
Wheeling N Dealin paid $9 to win as the second choice.
Filion returned to victory lane in the second $138,915 Champlain dash when the Glenn Lalonde-trained Toocool Forschool pulled off a 10-1 upset.
The Ontario-sired freshman settled on the rail in third before Hobsons Choice (Randy Waples) cut the opening panel in :28.4. My Man Can (Andy Miller) then pulled the pocket, clearing to the front on the way to the half in :58.2. The 4-5 favourite held command past the three-quarters in 1:27.1.
Into the stretch, Toocool Forschool was angled to the outside. The colt was able to track down the leader en route to breaking his maiden by one and a half lengths in 1:57.1. My Man Can finished second and Cool Victory (Jack Moiseyev) faded to third.
The son of Kadabra-Stonebridge Lane lifted his earnings to $81,457 for owners Roland Rocco of Lasalle, Que. and Benoit Gendron of Beaconsfield, Que.
Toocool Forschool returned $22.50 to win.
Filion, who recently notched his 7,000th career driving victory, found the winner’s circle with four of his 12 drives on Friday’s 13-race card. The reinsman also won with the Clark Beelby-trained Sheer Glide ($5.80, 1:54.4) and Cocomara ($14.90, 1:53.2) for conditioner Erv Miller.
Live racing returns to the Campbellville oval Saturday night with the $1-million Metro Pace. The heavily staked 13-race program will get underway at 7:10 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)