It’s always a bit of a shock when an odds-on favourite gets beat at the wire the way Shaky Hanover did in the third and final $50,000 split of the $150,000 New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies at Monticello Raceway on August 18. But when the winner, Hulas Z Tam, driven by Pat Lachance, turned out to be a full sister to Southwind Tempo, maybe her 1:58:4 upset victory wasn’t all that shocking.
Matt Kakaley had Shaky Hanover in the two-hole behind Galimony (driven by Stephane Bouchard) as the field headed to the quarter pole. Just before that stanza, Bouchard moved the filly to the lead as the quarter-mile timer flashed :28:1.
Kakaley gave the daughter of Bettors Delight--Shady Past a breather as they paced by the half in :58. An even slower 31-second third frame was paced, as the field bunched up behind them with the eventual winner second-over in fifth position at that point.
However, in the lane the crowd thought Shaky Hanover, which had a three-length lead, would cruise home a winner. However, Pat Lachance knew he had dead-aim at the leader, and in the final strides his Bettors Delight--Tsunami Hanover filly charged to the front and scored its second victory in just three seasonal starts.
When asked if he was surprised by his filly’s mile, Lachance smiled wryly and said, “No, not at all. I knew she was going to be a good one … maybe as good as her sister. She’s the real deal.”
Co-owner Bill Matz was on hand and joyful when he got his picture taken with his filly with whom he shares ownership with Margaret Kay and trainer/driver Lachance. It was in the winner's circle that Matz pointed out that his filly was the full sister to Southwind Tempo and he said they bought her at a bargain price since she was on the small side as a yearling.
Bettors Delight fillies Sand Song and Barks Like A Dog were also victorious.
(With files from Monticello)