The two $35,000 eliminations of the Armbro Flight, for trotting mares, on Saturday (June 10) at Woodbine Mohawk Park saw last year’s top distaffers Raised By Lindy and Bella Bellini record their first 2023 victories.
In the first test, Raised By Lindy trotted by the opening panel in :28.1 for Yannick Gingras. Bob McClure had Warrawee Xenia up to challenge and was at the leader’s wheel at the :56.2 half. Raised By Lindy continued with a length lead by the 1:24 three-quarters and held off a late rush by Refined to win in 1:51.1 to equal her life record. HP Mama B, Warrawee Xenia and Swans Eye earned the remaining nods into next week’s final.
The win was the first in two tries this year for Raised By Lindy, a homebred four-year-old daughter of Walner owned by Lindy Farms and trained by Domenico Cecere.
“She was great tonight and I’m very happy with that her second start his year, I’ve been impressed with her, she needed the race,” said Cecere of the winner of $779,000 to date in her career.
In the second split, Adare Castle was sent directly to the front by James MacDonald. She clicked fractions of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:24.3. Down the stretch, Dexter Dunn had Bella Bellini out from second to challenge the leader and they went on by to win in 1:51.3. Adare Castle had to be content with second this night followed by Mischevious Rose, Call Me Dani and Disclosure.
Now five years old, Bella Bellini (pictured above) was making her first trip to the winner’s circle after four tries this year. The winner of well over $2 million in her career is owned by breeder David McDuffee and trained by Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman.
“That worked out pretty nicely,” Norman said smiling after his mare’s win. “She had a good winter, she put on a lot of weight and she’s a year older. We had some trouble getting her as fit as she needed to be. Now she’s had some races in a row, she was better tonight, I was really happy with her. Coming back next week will do her good, she’s trimmed up a bit and raced better.”
The field for the $210,000 Armbro Flight final, going postward next Saturday, June 17, is listed below.
$210,000 Armbro Flight Stakes
Horse - Post
1. Refined
2. Disclosure
3. Raised By Lindy
4. Warrawee Xenia
5. Bella Bellini
6. Adare Castle
7. Call Me Dani
8. HP Mama B
9. Swans Eye
10. Mischevious Rose
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(with files from Woodbine)