Rookies Impress In Stallion Series
Six divisions of Stallion Series action for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters were held at Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon, with each contest going for a purse of $20,000.
In the first division, it was Susan Daugherty's Wimborne Hanover going coast-to-coast for the victory. The son of Muscle Massive used a rated second quarter to his advantage, going on to win in a time of 1:58.3. Pocket-sitter Trust Fund Baby finished second, while Captain Trotterous was third. Wimborne Hanover is trained by Bill Daugherty, Jr. and was driven by Yannick Gingras.
In division two, it was Suit And Tie in a gate-to-wire performance in a time of 1:58.1. The son of Andover Hall set steady fractions, holding off a late challenge from Capt Serious, while favourite Master The Past finished third. Suit and Tie is owned by Bill Wiswell and M & L of Delaware Inc, trained by John Butenschoen and was driven by Mike Simons.
In the third division, Chuck Sylvester trainee Old Oak came from off the pace to win. The son of Donato Hanover drafted behind the live cover of eventual second-place finisher Flying Muscles, out closing him in the stretch, to win in 1:58.3. Favourite KY Lucky finished an even third. Old Oak is owned by Steve Jones, and was driven by John Campbell.
Division four went to Longcat Hanover. The son of Muscle Massive drafted behind the speed of Dont Mind Me, and was able to barely get past in the final steps, stopping the clock in 1:57.4. Mercury Fashion was a distant third. Longcat Hanover is owned by the Pinske Stables and Enzed Racing, trained by Nifty Norman, and was held together by David Miller.
In the fifth division, it was the Oyvind Hegdal trainee Explosiveday scoring an impressive win. The son of Explosive Matter fired quickly off the wings and never looked back, winning in an in-hand 200.1. Explosiveafternoon was second, while Handover The Money, who raced huge despite a tough trip, finished third. Explosiveday is owned by Camilla Hegdal and Kjell Anderson, and was driven by Oyvind Hegdal.
The sixth and final division went to Donatomite. The son of Donato Hanover overpowered longshot leader, and eventual third-place finisher Emotion In Motion just beyond the quarter pole, going on to a nine-length win, in a time of 1:58.1. Plump Jack closed up for second. Donatomite is owned by Michael Andrew, and is trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)