Coming into this racing season, most expert handicappers would agree that the closest threat to Big Jim would be Shadyshark Hanover. The Erv Miller pupil finished second to Big Jim in both the Breeders Crown and Governors Cup final. However, after finishing third to Big Jim in the New Jersey Classic, another top-notch rival emerged
.
Enter Powerful Mist.
A $27,000 yearling purchase at the Winbak Sale, Powerful Mist has risen to the occasion for trainer Wayne Givens with $361,537 banked lifetime. The three-year-old son of Powerful Toy-Misty Speed is no stranger to the winner’s circle with an impressive 12-4-2 record from 21 lifetime
starts.
Last season, the bay posted nine victories from 16 starts while racing primarily in the Delaware Sires Stakes program.
“He was the class of the sale,” Givens recalls of purchasing Powerful Mist. “He just had the presence about him, he was a standout. After we bought him, my expectations were to have a nice Sires Stakes horse but he’s shown he can race at a higher level.
“Training down, I remember calling my owners and telling them we better stake him a little heavier because he never missed a beat and showed enough speed and talent.”
The decision proved to be a wise one as Powerful Mist captured his elimination of the Woodrow Wilson at The Meadowlands in 1:51.4 before capturing his elimination of the Matron Stakes, then finishing second in the $203,950 final to Feel Like A Fool.
One year later, Powerful Mist hasn’t let his connections down as he has netted a handsome $149,000 already this season.
The 12-time winner has won three of five starts in his sophomore campaign with a second place effort in the $300,000 Hempt final on May 21.
This Saturday evening provides a tough test for Powerful Mist as he faces Big Jim in the $100,000 Somebeachsomewhere Stakes at Mohawk. Givens doesn’t need to be reminded of the challenge.
“I would agree that Big Jim is the horse to beat this season, that’s pretty obvious,” said Givens. “But, there’s no shame in finishing second. I don’t think there’s much that separates everyone else for second, as far as the three-year-old colts in general are concerned.”
Originally, John Campbell was given the reins to drive Powerful Mist in the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, but after an unfortunate accident to Campbell, Tim Tetrick will handle the lines.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for John, he called me the next morning and told me what happened,” Givens commented. “I decided to use Timmy because he drove him before and he’ll be up here anyway.”
Givens raves about the physical attributes of his star pacer.
“He’s a handsome devil,” he said. “He’s a nice size horse with terrific conformation. If someone walked into the barn without knowing him, they would ask about him because he has that presence about him.”
This marks just the second time Givens has been to Canada. He was here in 2009 with Winbak Speed who finished second in the $353,710 Pacing Classic.
Legacy Racing Of DE Inc., Niel Gargiulo and Louie J Paglierani share ownership of the star pacer who will begin from post seven in the third race.
The questions of just how ‘Powerful’ he is will be answered at Mohawk on Saturday night. First race post time is 7:10 p.m.
For a free, printable program for Mohawk's Saturday night program of harness racing courtesy of TrackIT, click the following link: Saturday Program - Mohawk Racetrack.
(with files from WEG)