Hit The Bank’s pari-mutuel debut on Thursday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in race four, a $103,100 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Series division for two-year-old trotting fillies, will give trainer Gerard Demers a chance at his first OSS win of 2023.
Hit The Bank, from the first crop of Breeders Crown winner The Bank, has qualified twice at Mohawk and both efforts showed her talent in different ways.
On July 4, she led for the majority of the qualifier and trotted the mile in 1:59 to win by a length.
“That was the first time she cut a mile and she fought right to the wire and did it pretty easy,” said Demers. “I think she is better chasing horses than cutting the mile, but she did both, so I am happy with it.”
Two weeks earlier in her first qualifier, Hit The Bank made a small mistake in the first turn, but rebounded nicely to finish fifth, individually timed in 2:02.
“We had trained her faster already than the time in the first qualifier and she made a little break in the first turn,” said Demers. “I think they were going too slow, so she doubled up, but she came a good last quarter in :27.1 and [driver Jody Jamieson] said after the qualifier, 'You have a nice one here.'”
Demers purchased Hit The Bank at the 2022 Ontario Select Yearling Sale for $10,000 with partners Jean Roch Marois and James Tropea. She caught his attention in the stall and he was sold -- no pun intended -- when she was brought out to sell.
“She has a beautiful confirmation,” said Demers. “She looked so good and I said, 'I am going to buy her.'”
From day one training down, she’s had a good head on her and while Demers wasn’t seeking out one of The Bank’s progeny, he’s very happy with the one he has.
“I really like her and everyone I talk to, they say The Bank’s [offspring] all look good so far,” said Demers. “She is big, strong and has everything going for her. She just needs to learn how to go fast.”
Hit The Bank will start from post seven in the first nine-horse Gold division on Thursday with James MacDonald listed to drive.
The other Gold division for freshman trotting fillies is scheduled as race six, where 10 entrants will race for $104,000.
There are also six $22,000+ Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies on the card.
To view Thursday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Thursday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from OR)