A three-horse juggernaut from the Darren McCall Stable will headline Saturday’s $373,600 Roses Are Red Stakes for older pacing mares as part of Maple Leaf
Trot night at Mohawk Racetrack.
The Australian native, who has been a regular fixture on the WEG circuit since 2002, will send Btwnyurheartnmine, Southwind Tempo and elimination winner Tug River Princess postward in the outstanding 10-horse field.
Tug River Princess won the fastest of two eliminations last Saturday night when she stopped the clock in 1:51 for driver Steve Condren who retains the drive this week. She posted a mild 4-1 upset over Southwind Tempo who was sent off as the heavy favourite and finished third.
Meanwhile, Btwnyurheartnmine finished a troubled third behind world champion Darlins Delight in the other split in 1:51.1.
“I actually expect all three of them to be a little better this week,” said McCall. “I had a bit of a bug going around my barn and their bloods were a little off following the eliminations. But, they all look great and seem like they had a good week, so we’re just hoping for some racing luck on Saturday.”
When asked to compare the three mares, McCall said they are all unique with very few similarities.
“It’s pretty amazing because they are three very different horses,” he explained. “To train Tug River Princess, you’d think you were training a $4,500 claimer, she is just so easy on herself. Southwind Tempo has such a flawless gait, that you don’t realize how fast she’s going. And, Btwnyurheartnmine is always on her toes and you know that she really wants to go at all times.”
All three mares are owned in part by Eric Cherry’s Let It Ride Stables of Florida. Cherry has been a longtime client of McCall’s and the pair has enjoyed tremendous success together.
“A night like this has been 30 years in the making for Eric,” said McCall. “He’s been an owner of mine for a long time and I couldn’t ask for a better person to deal with. He has invested a lot into the game and it would be nice to see him have some luck this weekend.”
So, which of the three represents McCall’s best chance at winning?
“I like them all,” he admitted. “Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess are both world-class mares but I really think Btwnyurheartnmine is the sleeper of the entire field. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she jumped up and won.”
The Roses Are Red goes as Race 10 on the 13-dash program, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. It was also be broadcast as part of a two-hour special on The Score from 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. (ET).
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with an autograph signing, featuring former Toronto Maple Leaf great Darryl Sittler, taking place at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a beginner betting seminar with Greg Blanchard and Mike Hamilton starting at 6:30 p.m. with the first 300 people receiving a race program and free $2 betting voucher.
(WEG)