Desperate Man, an early-season standout on the Ontario Sires Stakes circuit in his juvenile campaign, seemed as confident as ever in his Thursday morning (June 10) qualifier at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as he drilled a 1:52.1 mile in preparation for his sophomore stakes stand.
The son of Shadow Play and Dreamlands Latte tightened down the pocket behind early pacesetter Brilliant Corners through a :57.3 first half before Phil Hudon gave him the green light to challenge for the lead with five-sixteenths to go. After putting Brilliant Corners away in upper stretch, Desperate Man used a sharp :27 final sectional to parry a late push from OSS Grassroots champion Second Bruiser (James MacDonald) by three-quarters of a length. Trainer Kathy Cecchin co-owns Desperate Man with John Cecchin, Nicole Davies and Paul Davies.
Fashion Frenzie, winner of the 2020 Ontario Super Final for freshman trotting colts and geldings, followed up his second-place finish in a May 28 qualifier with a sharp 1:57.3 win over Royal Tyrone. Sylvain Filion moved the Archangel-Striking Fashion gelding out of the pocket in upper stretch, and he used :27.1 closing speed to stride clear by a commanding 3-1/2 lengths for trainer Richard Moreau and the partnership of Ecurie Francis Richard, Mario Bourgea, Pierre Guillemette and Sylvain Richard, all of Québec.
Last year's top Ontario-sired rookie trotting filly, the Chantal Mitchell-trained Dashing Muscle, worked to the lead in line to James MacDonald midway through her second spring qualifier, but was overcome by a :27.1 late push from Tealicious and Louis-Philippe Roy, who won in 1:58.1.
Veteran distaffer Cousin Mary, a 34-time winner with nearly a half million dollars earned "the hard way," continued her preparations for her eight-year-old season by vaulting home in :26.2 for a 1:55.3 win. Drew Neill drove the Camluck mare for owner-trainer Jeffrey Williamson.
The complete broadcast of Woodbine Mohawk Park's qualifying session appears below.
To view Thursday's complete qualifying results, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifier).