A full field of 10 faced the starting gate in Saturday’s $34,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and after a short weather delay it was Casimir Richie P nabbing his first ever victory at the top level.
The four-year-old son of Astronomical-Casimir Hugs pulled off the minor upset in the feature race for driver Sylvain Filion, who used an off-the-pace approach to win the rain-soaked affair.
Casimir Richie P left the gate sharply and tucked into an early three-hole position while Fancourt blasted to the top and sliced out a wild first quarter of :25.2. Nirvana Seelster popped the two-hole in the backstretch and took the lead. He hit the half in :53 followed by the three-quarter marker in 1:20.3. Casimir Richie P tipped out first over around the final turn and used a :28.1 closing panel to win by a length over Pedro Hanover in 1:49.2. Physicallyinclined, who was out the route, finished third.
Trainer Dr. Ian Moore shares ownership on the 14-time winner with Michael Goldberg of Toronto, Ont. Together, they’ve watched the OSS graduate assemble a 4-2-3 record from 12 trips to the track this season. The $17,000 payday bumped his overall cash stash over $200,000.
Double A Mint used last second heroics to take down the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred in a time of 1:50.4.
Louis-Philippe Roy hustled her to the lead and together they carved out first half fractions of :27.1 and :56.2. Cousin Mary rushed to the front in the backstretch, and she was then overtaken by Kendall Seelster who made a bold move to the lead around the final turn.
Kendall Seelster blazed her way to the three-quarter pole in 1:23 and opened up a big lead at the head of the lane, but she was tracked down in the final strides by the re-rallying Double A Mint. She got up to nail Kendall Seelster, with Cousin Mary finishing third.
Richard Moreau trains the four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Double Crème for Adriano Sorella of Guelph, Ont. The victory gives her a 10-3-2 record from 20 starts this season. The 16-time winner recently surpassed $500,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A humbly bred, but rugged
A humbly bred, but rugged competitor. Unfortunately no more Casimir Farm breeding operation. However, McConnell's passion has left a legacy. R.I.P.