Lindys Nightmare and Collective Wisdom captured first round divisions of the Town Pro Series on Friday night (June 24) at Mohawk Racetrack.
The Town Pro Series has been used as a launching pad by lightly raced three-year-old pacing fillies over the years, and after Friday’s first leg it appears the 2016 edition will continue that tradition.
Lindys Nightmare turned in a sizzling 1:50.4 performance to capture the first division.
The Frank Antonacci trainee took over the lead in the second-quarter for driver Rick Zeron and reached the half in :56.1. Lindys Nightmare paced her third-quarter in :27.4 and still had plenty of energy left for the stretch drive. The 3-2 favourite rocketed home in :26.4 to draw away from her five rivals to score a 4-3/4 lengths victory in a career-best 1:50.4.
Twenty Three Red came from fifth at the three-quarter pole to grab second, while Southwind Tango, who followed Lindys Nightmare into the stretch, finished third.
A daughter of Western Terror, Lindys Nightmare was making just her fourth career start Friday. The Antonacci trainee was unraced at two, made a break in her career debut on May 1, but now has three consecutive victories. Owned by Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Lindys Nightmare has now earned $22,000 for her connections. She paid $5.10 to win.
Collective Wisdom enjoyed a pocket trip and pounced in the lane to score a 1:52 victory in the second division.
Rocknroll Vision, the 4-5 favourite, went to the front and led the field of the five by the opening-quarter in :27. The public’s choice went unchallenged through fractions of :56 and 1:24. In the stretch, Collective Wisdom was angled off the back of Rocknroll Vision by driver Jonathan Drury and the 7-2 second choice powered by to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:52. Queen Ideal finished third.
A daughter of American Ideal, Collective Wisdom now has two wins in five starts this season after going winless in four outings at two. The Richard Moreau trainee has now banked $22,900 this season for her 1187422 Ontario Inc. ownership group. She paid $9.60 to win.
In order to be eligible to the Town Pro Series, the three-year-old pacing fillies had to be non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of March 31, 2016. The second round of the Town Pro will take place next Friday (July 1).
The first leg of the Summertime Series highlights live racing Saturday night at Mohawk. Post time is 7:30 p.m.
For results from Friday night's card of harness racing at Mohawk, click the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(with files from WEG)