She was the story heading into Saturday night's card of harness racing at Hanover Downs, and heavy favourite Sonic Breeze got the job done in the Grey/Huron Stakes Final for pacing fillies and mares.
Saturday night was Molson Men’s Night at Hanover and featured three special races on the night, including the Molson Mile and two finals of the Grey/Huron Stakes.
In the fifth race Grey/Huron Stakes Final, a field of eight trotting fillies and mares went postward vying for $26,300 in purse money. Hanover’s leading driver Trevor Henry took Just One Amigo from the rail position straight to the front and set the tempo over fractions of :29.2, 1:02.3 and 1:32.4 before winning in a lifetime-best 2:02.3. Workbabywork and Nick Steward offered up a first over challenge, but couldn't get by the leader and finished one length behind in second. Joyful Road and Mark Williams was third.
The victory was the second of the filly’s career and marked back-to-back wins at Hanover Raceway, both coming in the Grey/Huron Stakes. David Holliday trains the Amigo Hall-Just One Night miss for owner-breeder Graham Jackson of Listowel, Ont.
Race seven was the Molson Mile, and the local crowd were right on the money when they backed Cams Best Bet and driver Nick Steward. The Larry Micallef trainee notched his first win in 2012 in a dominant 1:57, leaving the field behind in the stretch to win by four open lengths.
And race nine was Sonic Breeze’s time to shine. Driven by Williams, the four-year-old mare showed her class as she overcame a long first over journey in the $29,000 final and overtook pacesetter Alexacam and Henry, who carved out fractions of :29.1, :59.1, and 1:28.2. Making good on her trainer’s confidence over the past week, Sonic Breeze sailed to her sixth straight victory, this time in 1:57.2, as the overwhelming favourite. The Speed Of Music and Thomas Smith came on for second, three and a half lengths behind, while Alexacam faded to third.
William Kirkpatrick conditions the Mach Three-Precious Breeze mare, who has banked over $65,000 so far in her first season of racing, for owner-breeder Pamela Loomis of Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Hanover Raceway made nine fathers happy with nine different prizes from Molson, and next week it’s Pepsi’s turn, as Hanover Raceway hosts Pepsi Night at the races. Fans can taste test some of Pepsi’s latest products and fill out a ballot to win close to $2,000 in prizes, including a set of gold club, a men’s bicycle, patio furniture and much more. Post time Saturday night is 7:15 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)