Hayek ($5.20) became the fastest trotter on a half-mile track in Canadian history with a resounding 1:53.3 performance in Wednesday's (Aug. 19) $157,200 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event for three-year-old colts and geldings at Grand River Raceway.
Sylvain Filion protected the pole to secure the early lead with the gelded son of E L Titan, and they kept pressure from Moon Bridge (Bob McClure) at bay through a :56 first circuit. A second challenger emerged on the backstretch, when Hot Wheelz (Jody Jamieson) circled three-wide around a tiring Moon Bridge with Pemberton (Trevor Henry) close in tow to three-quarters in 1:25.
Just as easily, Hayek shrugged off Hot Wheelz's bid as well off the home turn before scooting clear handily to win by 4-1/4 lengths. Hot Wheelz held second; Pemberton finished third.
“He’s not an easy horse, but he’s very fast," said trainer Ben Baillargeon. "Tonight he was pretty wound up when I warmed him up and we had the rail, and when he came out of the turn, he charged that gate and I said, ‘Go gate, get out of the way’. I closed my eyes going into the first turn.
“He was pretty handy. Sylvain said he wasn’t all out though. They come after him all the mile. Bob (McClure with Moon Bridge) come and then Jody (Jamieson with Hot Wheelz) came, they all come and he fought them all.”
Hayek now owns two OSS Gold wins, having also taken his preliminary at Georgian Downs on June 28. Baillargeon co-owns the four-time winner with Teresa Davidson, Santo Vena and Nunzio Vena.
So long as they remain happy and healthy Hayek and his stablemate HP Royal Theo, who made a break in the first turn and finished at the back of the field, will make their next start in the Aug. 28 Goodtimes eliminations at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
“Theo, he run last year here in the first turn and he did the same thing this year. He just seems like he’s not comfortable, so we’re going to put an ‘X’ on that race and we’re going to focus on the Goodtimes next week, that’s all you can do. We’re going to regroup a little bit with Theo and the other one, well I’m just going to try and control his speed,” said Baillargeon. “I would like to see him race in a hole in the future, but listen, for $150,000 tonight, come and get me.”
After opening her career with a pair of Grassroots level victories, Imextraspecial ($6.60) found her place in the Grand River record books as well, posting a 1:57.3 mile in the second of two $107,200 OSS Gold events for two-year-old trotting fillies.
Trevor Henry drove the daughter of Muscle Mass and I Am Special to the record mile, leading at every call before evading 9-5 favourite Up And Ready by a measured 1-3/4 lengths. Fuzzy Angel finished third.
“The track was hard and fast tonight,” said Henry. “She raced great, got off the gate extra great. She handles the turns so well. Paul (Walker) has done a great job with her; all I’ve got to do is keep her out of trouble.”
Paul Walker trains three-time winner Imextraspecial for Keith Coulter.
The earlier division for rookie fillies saw Fox Valley Liza ($4.30) live up to favoured billing and post a commanding 1:57.4 win over the late-rallying You Will Be Queen. Filion and Baillargeon also teamed up with the daughter of Muscle Mass and Super Renee who pushed powerfully from fourth to clear control at the end of a :58.4 half mile before opening up steadily through the stretch to defeat You Will Be Queen by 5-1/2 lengths. Pixies Lady was elevated from fifth to third after both Rubys Are Nice and Classy Carol were demoted for breaking and pylon violations, respectively.
It was the second Gold win for Fox Valley Liza, who campaigns for Anthony Lombardi, the Henshaut Stable and George Golemes.
To view Wednesday's full results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.
(with quotes from the Ontario Sires Stakes)