Driver Luc Ouellette, trainer Chris Beaver and a talented trotter named Triumphant Caviar joined forces on Tuesday evening in Mohawk Racetrack’s $42,000 Open Trot, and collectively they managed to find the chink in the armour of the seemingly unstoppable San Pail
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The four-year-old son of SJs Caviar-ENS Tag Session applied heavy duty pressure to his white-hot nemesis around the final turn, and that move wound up paying nice dividends for Ouellette and his fellow owners – Kerry Beaver, James Gallagher and Paul Bernard.
Triumphant Caviar was in no hurry in the early part of the mile. In fact, he got away last in the six-horse affair. He watched Armbro Chronicle (Mike Saftic) and Digital Image (Jody Jamieson) exchange punches all the way to the quarter pole in :27.2 before the latter cleared to the top. It was a short-lived lead, however, as San Pail (Randy Waples) popped out of the three-hole and marched to the lead.
San Pail took over at the mid-way point in :55.3, but he was prompted along in the third quarter by Triumphant Caviar. Those two went full tilt to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3 before San Pail rolled off stride and turned over the lead to his first-over attacker.
Ouellette only needed a :28.3 closing panel to earn the 1:53.2 decision by with Triumphant Caviar, who fended off a late challenge from Tacs Delight. Armbro Chronicle, who mixed it up early, re-rallied to finish third. San Pail, who reportedly threw a shoe during the race, finished sixth. The 1-5 favourite was given an equipment break by the O.R.C. Judges as a result of the lost shoe.
Triumphant Caviar, who was sent off at 9-1 in the wagering, picked up his third win of the season in just six tries. The nine-time winner has banked close to $550,000 to date.
To view Tuesday’s results, click here.