Castellano romped and Miss Fastiny grinded to victory in Coupe de l’Avenir second-round action for two-year-old trotters on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Hippodrome 3R.
Castellano rocketed 11-1/2 lengths clear in the final quarter in his first-division victory. Starting from the outside, the Muscle Mass-Hawaiian Sweetie freshman barrelled seven-wide into the turn and dropped in fourth, with Samuel Fillion wrangling the gelding into the hole past a :30.3 first panel. Castellano reemerged quickly and showed a burst of speed in front of the stands, striking the front by the half in 1:02.3. Chapter For Speed (David Pilon) remained in chase of the new leader to three-quarters in 1:32.3, but Castellano powered home to leave that foe well behind in a 2:02.4 victory. Kinder Trouble (Marie-Claude Auger) finished third.
Castellano has won both of his Coupe de l’Avenir starts and is three-for-four overall for trainer Jean-Francois Maguire. Marc Kirouac of Sherbrooke, Que. owns and bred the gelding, who has now earned $14,200. The win price was $2.10.
A tough Miss Fastiny reached up after a taxing journey to take a maiden win in the second division. Jessica Turenne had the filly away third behind pocket-sitter Kinnder Top Dog (William Roy), who looked to the outside passing the quarter in :31.3 but tucked back in until making the frontward move going to the half in 1:02.4. Miss Fastiny set off on a push into the breeze at that point, bearing down on Kinnder Top Dog to three-quarters in 1:33.2 and into the last turn. The pacesetter proved game in the stretch, but Miss Fastiny was not to be denied and eclipsed her rival in deep-stretch by a quarter-length to prevail in 2:04.2. Dm Kamille (Pascal Berube) gained off the winner’s cover and was a close third.
Miss Fastiny won for the first time in four starts, bringing her earnings to $5,645. Jean-Guy Pepin of L’Avenir, Que. trains the daughter of Northern Escort-Kinder Dirty Diana and co-owns and co-bred her with Nicole Pepin. The winning filly returned $17.20.
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(Standardbred Canada)