The trotters and pacers in action during the dozen baby races on Friday, June 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park shared one common trait: a single trainer with gait domination.
Dr. Ian Moore sent out a trio of winners on the pacing side, winning three of the seven dashes carded for the sidewinders, while Gregg McNair mustered victories in four of the five trotting races featuring the squaregaiters.
The top filly of the day for speed was the returning Lavender Seelster, who continues to blossom for her connections. A 1:57.1 winner eight days ago, the daughter of Century Farroh - Lucapela wired her foes with a 1:54.3 effort at the behest of driver Louis-Philippe Roy. Lavender Seelster was four lengths fresher than Five Starr Rating (Paul Davies) with Sporty Evie (Doug McNair) rounding out the top trio.
A $30,000 London Classic yearling from the Seelster Farms consignment, Lavender Seelster is owned by Lavender Seelster of Cambridge, Ont.
Roy and Moore also combined for repeat victories courtesy P N G Shadow (1:57.1, home in :26.4) and Jay (1:56, closing in :27). Both of these Cattlewash fillies are products of former Moore pupils, with P N G Shadow the first foal out of Lady Arthur and Jay the second foal from Jan.
On the trotting side of the ledger, Gregg McNair teamed with son Doug for four tallies to top all trainers on the day. Barbara May took the stretch drive lead for McNair in the 10th when Tymal Envy (Gino Toscani) gave way, capping the quartet of qualifying scores with a 1:58.3 decision under a hand drive. Tymal Envy finished second after setting a hot tempo, with Eye See You (J. R. Plante) next across the wire.
Barbara May (Alarm Detector-Absolut Seelster) is a homebred filly owned by Tom & Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines, Ont., who also campaigned both the sire and dam.
Prior to Barbara May's victory, Team McNair connected with Walners Grove (1:59.4) in the second, Miss Mass Appeal (2:01) in the sixth and Cher Hill (2:00.3) in the eighth.
The full video session from Friday's qualifiers is available below.
The Woodbine Mohawk Park race office wishes to remind all racing participants that there will be a complimentary breakfast during the Saturday baby race session on June 21.
The breakfast will be held outside at the new Railside Deck beginning at 9:30 a.m. A variety of hot foods featuring a pancake breakfast will be available along with a selection of juices and coffee. Printed program pages will also be available.
This event is open to all racing participants and Woodbine’s racing leaders will be in attendance. RSVP is not required.
For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).
(Standardbred Canada)