Percy Bluechip, Classic Pro Return

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Published: April 6, 2018 01:57 pm EDT

Two of Canada's top pacers from 2017 have returned to the track to commence 2018 campaigns with qualifiers in Florida.

Percy Bluechip and Classic Pro were both victorious during qualifying miles on Friday (April 6) at Southern Oaks Training Center. Pupils of trainer Dr. Ian Moore peppered the qualifying results as his horses comprised 75 per cent of the entries.

Canada's Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year, Percy Bluechip made her first strides as a sophomore. With Moore at the controls, Percy Bluechip made every call a winning one en route to a 1:55.1 qualifying mile over stablemate Jan.

Owned by Shadow Two Stable, James & Wilma Mackenzie and Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc., Percy Bluechip scored five wins in nine races as a freshman while racking up more than $440,000 in earnings.

Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year Classic Pro was making his first start as a four-year-old after being shut down in September due to injury. The son of Shadow Play was also a wire-to-wire winner, tripping the timer in 1:54.4 over stablemate Shadow Moon.

Classic Pro won four of 14 starts at three for owners Moore, R G McGroup Ltd and NHL Hall of Famer Serge Savard while earning more than $293,000 on the season.

In addition to his award winners, Moore also qualified a pair of North America Cup-eligible pacing colts. Only a head separated Casimir Richie P (Rick Farrington) from stablemate Atomic Seelster (Moore) at the wire in their 1:55.4 qualifying effort with Casimir Richie P powering past the pacesetting Atomic Seelster in the final strides.

Atomic Seelster and Casimir Richie P are two of the 75 pacing colts sustained to the 2018 Pepsi North America Cup after the March 15 payment date.

"They're all good," Moore told Trot Insider after the qualifiers. He noted that his pupils will return to qualify again in two weeks time with the exception of Classic Pro, who will be dropped in the box at Pompano to get in a few starts before shipping north.

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