Chantilly dominated her field of seven with a career best mile and Wickedpace angled out a pocket win to each extend their young career streaks in two divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday, July 16. The freshman pacing fillies competed in their second leg of the series with each division going for a $95,000 sum.
James MacDonald eased the Nick Gallucci student off the car and into fifth. After the first quarter clocked :27.4, Chantilly moved to the outside, but continued in fifth through the half in :56.4. Extending her strides, she was able to meet on even terms with the leading Wicked N Single (Jonathan Drury) at the 1:24.3 three quarters. She waved goodbye and soared home to score in 1:50.4 by 2-1/2 lengths. Perfectly Chic (Bob McClure) finished second and Wicked N Single saved show.
"You never really know until you do it, but [Chantilly] had given all the signs she was a good horse," James MacDonald said. "Nick does a great job and she was just on her toes tonight. She was just waiting for me to call on her the whole way. She's just a powerhouse."
Millar Farms bred and owns the freshman daughter of Big Jim and the Bettors Delight mare Shiraz Seelster for her second win in two starts after her first career win in the Grassroots on July 9. She moved her career sum to $57,500 with a career best performance in the 1:50.4 mile. Chantilly paid $3.00 to win.
"I always try to race them within their means and I thought the Grassroots was a good place to start her," Nick Gallucci said.
Wickedpace took the other $95,000 division with Jody Jamieson holding the lines for Paul Cameron.
Jamieson sent the McWicked - My Little Art filly to the top from post three, setting the tempo with an opening panel in :27.4. Millie May Hanover swept to the top to take over, leaving Wickedpace to follow the helmet of Sylvain Filion. The favourite maintained her lead through the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.2. Wickedpace bided her time before she made her final move. Her last panel clocked :27.3 as she used some 'wicked pace' to best her foes by a length in 1:53.2. Millie May Hanover had to settle for second best and Darlenes Angel (Trevor Henry) completed the show ticket.
"This filly has just been awesome and I think Cam has just done a great job and it means a lot to be here," Jody Jamieson said.
Paul and Jayme Cameron co-own the filly with Arnolds Horse Shack. Wickedpace won her third straight race, tallying a record of 3-1-0 in four starts. In her young career, she has banked $107,000. She returned $5.20 to win.
"[The trip] couldn't have worked out any better," Paul Cameron said. "She left a little and got covered up by the right horse. When she got called on, she had some pace."
Two-year-old pacing fillies meet for their Gold Mid-Season Final and Consolation on Aug. 15 at Mohawk.
Four $20,000 divisions of the OSS Grassroots went to the gate as the debut for freshman trotting fillies. The young ladies reconvene again on July 30 at Mohawk for their second leg.
Th Monica ($3.10) opened up the card and the Grassroots Series with a 6-1/2 length romp in 1:57.3 with James MacDonald in the seat for Francis Dumouchel, who co-owns the Green Manalishi S - Bluebird D Train filly with Ecurie Csl, Claude Grondin, and Daniel Davis.
Sister Sara ($8.60) followed in race four as driver Doug McNair and trainer Blake Macintosh teamed up for a three-quarter length score in 1:58.4. A daughter of Green Manalishi S - Nancy Allison, the filly is owned by Macintosh in partnership with Tim Klemencic.
In race six, Cheeky Lass ($41.70) and Sylvain Filion won by a neck in 1:59.1, posting a 20-1 upset in the third division. Scott McEneny trains and co-owns the Muscle Mass - Palm Beach Chic filly with Ervin Miller Stable Inc., Douglas Overhiser, and Jamie Durnberger-Smith.
Finally, Foxy Amee ($3.70) capped off the action as the Muscle Mass - Highland Foxtrotr filly was steered to a 1-1/2 length score in 1:58.1 by her trainer Paul Macdonell. Chris and Michael Storms co-own the filly.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)