Two-year-old trotting fillies clashed in a set of $20,000 divisions in Thursday’s opening round of the Pure Ivory Trotting Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and as often is the case with young trotters – the favourites faltered.
Dabra Day posted a 17-1 upset thanks to her 1:57.1 triumph in the opening split for driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Meg Crone.
Roy brushed to the top early with Dabra Day who chopped out the opening quarter in :28.1 before being overtaken in the backstretch by the pocket-sitting favourite, Angelonia. The new leader proceeded to cruised through middle splits of :59.1 and 1:28.3, but she weakened late. Dabra Day swept out in the lane and kicked home in :28.2 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Pencils Down. Angelonia faded to finish third.
The daughter of Kadabra-Day Lily, who was a $62,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, is owned by W Donovan of Monument Beach, MA and Purnel And Libby LLC of Delray Beach, FL.
Clockwork Orange was treated to a ground-saving trip in the second division by driver Jody Jamieson, and she turned it into a 1:57.3 triumph.
An early break by odds-on favourite Elegant Mermaid made it a wide-open affair. Moneyworth shot to the lead and hung up an opening quarter in :28.4, but she made a break going to half and left the lead in the lap of Ladies First. The new leader hit the half in :59.1 and she was still in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:28.4. Clockwork Orange popped out of the pocket coming out of the final turn and then kicked home in :28.3 to win by four lengths over Criquette Hall. Ladies First took home the show dough.
Trainer Blake MacIntosh shares ownership on the daughter of Resolve-Too Good For You with 30 Plus Stable of Trenton, ON. The career winner of $15,712 was a $45,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
The Millard Farms Trotting Series also kicked off with a set of $20,000 divisions Thursday evening, with victories earned by World At War Deo and Delgado.
World At War Deo marched to the lead for driver Jody Jamieson and never looked back en route to the 1:57 decision.
The Dave Menary trainee, who won his debut in 1:57.1 at Mohawk Park on June 24, marched to the lead and successfully sliced out splits of :28.4, 1:00 and 1:29.2 before rocketing home in :27.3 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Twin B Archie. Mr Fritter took home the show dough.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, the son of Chapter Seven-Yalta Hanover is now two-for-two for partners Steve Heimbecker, Blue Chip Bloodstock, Michael Guerriero and Menary Racing Inc. The colt was a $70,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
Delgado took advantage of a ground-saving trip en route to posting a 7-1 upset score in the second division for Team Young.
Driver Scott Young got away fifth while Magical Major rolled to the top and supplied the field with an opening quarter clocked in :28.3. Race favourite HP Maestro blasted to the lead in the backstretch, and he had the field chasing him past the mid-way point in :59.2. Mr Zuanetti came first over late in the mike, and Young slipped out to catch cover with Delgado.
HP Maestro was still in command at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.1, but Delgado fired off cover and kicked home in :28.2 to win by three-quarters of a length over Devereux Seelster in 1:58. HP Maestro weakened late and settled for third prize.
Trainer Bob Young co-owns the gelding with Russell Pickup of Hamilton, ON. The partners purchased the son of Trixton-Ruling Class for $25,000 from last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. He now boasts a 1-0-1 record in his first two outings.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.