Cassis is now a perfect five-for-five in 2010, as the sophomore bay had no problem capturing the first of five Pennsylvania Sires Stakes divisions for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings today at Chester Racetrack
.
With Tim Tetrick at the helm, Cassis marched to the top and kept on rolling through panels of :28 :57.2 and 1:25.3 en route to a career-best clocking of 1:53.4. Sent off as the well-supported 1/5 wagering choice, the son of Cantab Hall--Dirty Martini defeated Pilgrims Chuckie and Monsignor Flan.
Trainer Ray Schnittker co-owns the streaking colt with Kelks Inc., Arden Homestead Stable and Jerry Silva. Cassis, who went 1-for-2 as a rookie, has banked $114,608 to date.
Corey Callahan also took a 'come and get us' approach with Cant Lose, who went the distance en route to a 1:56.4 score in his $51,987 assignment. Sent off as a 6-1 outsider, the son of Cantab Hall--Eicarls Theresa laid down fractions of :29.3, :59.1 and 1:27.4 before sealing the deal with a 29-second final frame. Empire Hanover was next best and third prize went to Nightime Flash.
Jonas Czernyson conditions the colt, who went 3-for-11 last year and who is now 1-for-2 in his sophomore season. Robert Rosenheim Stables Ltd. of Sharon, CT owns the career winner of $41,650.
Hard Livin had been a beaten favourite in his first two starts of the season, but he passed his third test of 2010 with flying colours. The son of SJs Caviar--Affinity front-stepped through splits of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:26.2 in the third division en route to earning a lifetime mark 1:55 for driver Dan Dube. Freedom Ridge was second and Telephoto K finished third.
Jimmy Takter trains the colt, who was sent off at 5-1, for his wife, Christina Taker, and partners John Fielding of Toronto, Ont. and Falkbolagen Ab of Malmo, SD. It was the first payday of the season for the four-time winner, who banked in excess of $210,000 in his freshman season.
On the heels of consecutive victories at Georgian Downs, Woodbine Racetrack and the Meadows, Kirty Dream came through as the 1/2 choice in the fourth division, but it took every inch of the racetrack to get there for the team of driver Dave Palone and trainer Jean Pierre Dubois. The son of Cantab Hall--Klelia, who didn’t race as a rookie, got up in the final strides to pick off Red Light in 1:55.3. Chimmon rounded out the top three finishers.
It was a new lifetime mark for the homebred gelding, who is owned by Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme of Knowlton, Que. Kirty Dream owns a 4-for-6 record this season and has banked more than $72,000 to date.
It was a gate-to-wire score in the final division for Pilgrims Taj, who sliced out fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.1 before kicking home in :28.3 to stop the clock in 1:55.4. Mike Lachance mapped out the winning trip for the Monte Gelrod-trained son of Broadway Hall--BWT Maija, who defeated Mr Mcrail and B Winner K.
Sent off as the 3/5 choice, Pilgrims Taj won for the eighth time in his career for owners Robert Bongiorno, Pilgrims Taj Stable, Bix L Di Meo and Val Dor Farms. Never worse than second in 11 lifetime starts, the colt has banked in excess of $773,000.