Betty Hill and Kays Shadow made their pair-mutuel debuts Thursday evening at Mohawk Racetrack, and both rookies were impressive in victory in their respective assignments.
First up was Betty Hill, who kicked off the 10-race card with a 1:55.3 score for the tandem of driver James MacDonald and trainer Carmen Auciello. The daughter of Bettors Delight-Beyonce Blue Chip got away third before rushing to the lead in the backstretch. She supplied the field with middle fractions of :57.1 and 1:27.2 before roaring home in :28.1 to win by a half-length margin over Mattjestic Tempo. L A Delight came on strong to finish third.
Tom Hill of Lancashire, Great Britain bred and owns the youngster, who is a half-sister to Dancin Hill (1:50.1 - $152,081). She was a $40,000 purchase from last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Kays Shadow used a similar tactical approach to winning her first lifetime start later on the card. Sylvain Filion got away second with the James ‘Friday’ Dean trainee before marching her to the lead on the way to the half. She put up middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:25.3 before tacking on a :28.2 closing panel for good measure. She stopped the clock in 1:54 and wound up winning by 3-1/4 lengths over race favourite Twin B Thong. Taking home the shoe dough was Mach Majorette.
Dean shares ownership on the daughter of Shadow Play with Teresa Davidson of Milton, Ontario. The first foal out of the mare Pink Is Perfect was a $23,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.