Bigtime Ball is now two-for-two in his five-year-old campaign thanks to his $50,000 Open Pace victory on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack
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Hyperion Hanover (Rick Zeron) put up the first quarter in :27.3 but Ramegade Bruiser (Chris Christoforou) brushed to command from the pocket down the backstretch. From there Paul MacDonell rolled Bigtime Ball out from fourth and he put Ramegade Bruiser back in the pocket by the half in :54.4.
Bigtime Ball, the 4-5 first choice, opened up by two lengths at the 1:22.1 third check point before turning for home. Down the stretch, Clowns Smile (Mark MacDonald) rallied strong from off the pace and those two reached the wire in a photo finish. Separated by a nose, Bigtime Ball was deemed the victor clocking the mile in 1:50.2. Proven Lover (Jody Jamieson) came on for show.
Bigtime Ball, a homebred son of Presidential Ball – Keystone Trinidad, recorded his 15th lifetime score and increased his bankroll to $644,481 for owner and trainer Gord Irwin.
Making her 2009 debut this evening, Unique Legacy pulled off a 13-1 upset in the $30,000 Open for four-year-old mares after finding room at the rail to squeeze by the pacesetter, Ready To Win (Jody Jamieson), for the triumph in 1:55. Go Get Her (Mike Saftic) closed well for third.
The daughter of Real Desire – Unique X Ample is trained by Casie Coleman for owner and breeder Robert Hamather of Exeter, Ont. Unique Legacy now sports a record reading 12-5-2 in 25 starts with $241,328 in the bank.
A $25,000 Open for three-year-olds was also featured on Saturday’s undercard and Millionaire Cam, with Jody Jamieson in the sulky, also rallied from off the pace to win his 2009 debut in 1:55.2 over fellow North America Cup eligible Suprizemeagain (Paul MacDonell), who is gauged at odds of 30-1 in Trot Magazine’s Spring Book. Straight Shooting, a 48-1 Spring Book colt, finished right there in third with Joshua Marks at the lines.
Millionaire Cam, a son of Million Dollar Cam – Michelles Jackpot rated 40-1 in the Spring Book, won three races in six starts during his freshman campaign including an Ontario Sired Stakes Gold final. The Tony O’Sullivan pupil earned $128,340 last year for owner and breeder Jeffrey Snyder of New York, New York.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.