A relatively light six-race qualifying program went postward this morning at Mohawk Racetrack, although there was still anticipation in the air, as a pair of Pepsi North America Cup eligibles put in miles
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Red Bugler, who has been ranked as the ninth overall pick (25-1) in Trot Magazine's 2010 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, headlined Race 2.
Leaving from Post 5 with Keith Oliver at his lines, Red Bugler went to the top early and made every call a winning one. The Rheal Bourgeois-trained Cammibest gelding cut the fractions in :27.4, :58 and 1:26.4. He scooted home with a :26.1 final panel en route to a three-quarter-length victory in 1:53.
Red Bugler's mile this morning was his third qualifying effort this season. The qualifiers have come after a freshman 2009 campaign in which he won eight of 10 conditioned races, the last of which was in a speedy 1:51.2. Donald Anness of Emo, Ont. bred the colt and co-owns along with Sheila Anness.
Although he may not have won his qualifier this morning, 40-1 Spring Book selection BP Chimo made a good showing of himself in what was his second qualifying effort of the year.
In rein to Jody Jamieson, BP Chimo, a bay Grinfromeartoear colt, was in against Red Bugler this morning. As Red Bugler cut the fractions, the James Barton-trained BP Chimo sat fourth. Jamieson pulled his mount second-over heading to the three quarters. When Jamieson called on his mount in the lane, BP Chimo more than obliged, as he charged home with a :25.4 final quarter to finish second to Red Bugler by less than one length.
In 11 starts last year at two, BP Chimo won three of 11 races, finished on the board five times and banked over $155,000. He lowered his mark to 1:53.4 at Mohawk last fall in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold elimination. BP Chimo is owned by Elizabeth Thompson of Branchton, Ont. and Anne Okeefe of Ferryland, Newfoundland.
FBS Terror, last season's OSS Super Final Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly champion, was scheduled to duke it out with Red Bugler and BP Chimo in Race 2, but was a judge's scratch.
To view the charted results from the Mohawk qualifying session, click here.