Most people likely don't know that the path to this Saturday's $680,000 Fan Hanover Stakes for three fillies started four and a half years ago, with stops in Delaware, Ohio and Barrie, Ontario along the way
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It was in Delaware, at the 2004 Winter Speed Sale, that three mares were purchased. Mattatonic for $43,000, Sapphire Dawn for $30,000 and Party Planner for $5,500. In two days, elimination winners Yellow Diamond, Shacked Up and Not Enough - the respective daughters of the aforementioned mares - will head to the post as the likely favourites in North America's richest race for three-year-old pacing fillies.
"Terry [owner Terry Brooks] then bred these mares in 2005 to his own stallions," Mike Timpano told Trot Insider. "Two of the mares (Mattatonic and Sapphire Dawn) were bred to Western Terror and the other (Party Planner) to Grinfromeartoear."
In 2006, the mares all delivered fillies. Timpano then raised these fillies for Brooks at his nursery - Timpano Farms in Phelpston, Ont., just north of Barrie.
"It's amazing that these three fillies were all paddock-mates at my farm," continued Timpano, who can still vividly recall details about these tremendous pacers from when they were younger.
"Yellow Diamond (PP5, 1-1) always looked like a nice filly, a spectacular looking individual," stated Timpano, "while Shacked Up (PP3, 8-1) was correct but small. She's still small, it's a small family. Western Maverick is from that family, he's the same way."
There is no question in Timpano's mind who was the queen of the paddock - the only filly in the field who is undefeated this season, Not Enough.
"Not Enough (PP4, 4-1) was a monster," said Timpano rather matter-of-factly. "A big bully, very powerful."
Which filly will be the queen of the castle come Saturday? Will the Yellow Diamond shine brightest? Will the rest of the field be Not Enough competition for one distaffer? Will Shacked Up find redemption in the winner's circle? Or will another dame claim the crown? Click here for Saturday's entries for the card at Mohawk.