The wrath of Mother Nature was felt by the three-year-old trotting fillies who trucked to Woodbine Racetrack on Monday evening for the opening leg of the Celias Counsel Trotting Series.
An icy wind, frigid temperatures, blowing snow and a sticky surface (listed as “Good” by the ORC Judges) isn’t exactly what horsemen would consider the “Red Carpet” treatment, but the fillies did the best they could under those challenging conditions in the set of $20,000 divisions.
It was a walk in the park in the first split for Kandor Hanover, who demolished the competition for the team of trainer John Burns and driver Randy Waples.
Waples allowed the daughter of Tagliabue to lay well off the pace in the opening half of the mile before brushing to the front at the mid-way point of the final turn and driving off to win by more than 11 lengths. Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, Kandor Hanover stopped the clock in 2:02 en route to defeating Arbor Pompom Girl and Jayport Cindy.
“The one time I tried leaving with her she made a break, so I’ve been pretty conservative with her,” said driver Randy Waples. “Tonight she was in with her own kind and she won easily.”
Burns shares ownership on the two-time winner with partners Patrick Huber of Lima, OH and Online Stables of Mississauga, ON. The lion’s share of the purse lifted her $31,940.
Many of the longshot players were beaming in the second division following a 24-1 upset turned in by NF Freestyle, who was making her first start for WEG’s leading trainer in 2009, Ben Baillargeon.
In rein to Sylvain Filion, the daughter of Tom Ridge led the field through fractions of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:31.3 before chugging home in :32 seconds en route to the 2:03.3 decision. It was just over a length back to runner-up Beazy, with Last Strike rounding out the top three.
“I trained her a couple of times behind the gate and when she qualified she got caught behind a horse that wasn’t keeping up,” said trainer Ben Baillargeon. “I think Sylvain [Sylvain Filion] was sleeping. Her form didn’t look too bad last year, she went in 2:02 as a two-year-old. She’s a nice big, strong mare; but she’s very stupid.”
George Groulx, Jr. of Gatineau, QC holds the papers on the maiden-breaking winner, who upped her lifetime earnings to $19,495 with the win.
The second leg of the Celias Counsel Trotting Series is scheduled for next Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with the $49,000 (est.) final on Monday, April 20.
To view Monday’s results, click here.
Mr Baillargeons comments on
Mr Baillargeons comments on his horse(Nf Freestyle), and his driver(Sylvain Filion), reminded me of the move Seabiscuit and his owners comments to the prees that "his horse was too small his trainer was too old and his jockey too big and he was too stupid to know the difference" Refreshing to read the comments as many people have no idea of what "headaches: a horse(especially 2 and even a 3 year old can put you through even if they are physically ok and have racing speed). As to his comment about Filion "sleeping", great that he is not afraid to say it openly and that I am sure he knows Filion is self confident enough to handle it and also knows he belongs driving with the best anwhere:)