The single supplemental entry into the 5th annual Balanced Image Trot Championship has drawn the rail for this Saturday’s $58,000 final
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Percy Elkins of Campbellville recently purchased the two-year-old, after two consecutive wins in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots and immediately put the horse in Hanover’s second biggest race of the year. Zorgwijk Knight jumped out to the lead in his $7,500 elimination, despite starting from Post 6 and wasn’t really challenged until the three-quarter pole, when Julians Ceasar (Gord Rayner) went nose to nose with the colt. However, driver Doug Bowins put the pedal down and the two-year-old won by two lengths in 2:03.3.
In his elimination, the John Bax-trained Fuel Cell got away fifth for driver Ross battin, but slowly moved up to third by the stretch and then rocketed past Tortes Finale (Trevor Henry) for the win in 2:05 flat.
Afterwards, Bax said Battin drove his horse conservatively, but said the resident of Monkton, Ont. is a good horseman and knew what he was doing.
Race 4 was the fastest of the four divisions. Just like Zorgwijk Knight, No. 6 Hava Kadabra burst off the gate for the lead by the quarter pole and never looked back completing the mile in 2:02.2. Warrawee Leader (Carl Jamieson) was second.
Driver Dave Boughton said that was his first experience driving the two-year-old, but when trainer Mark Steacy put his name down to drive, he made the trip to Hanover and he’s glad he did. When asked about his colt's speed, Boughton said it was all Hava Kadabra, because he basically hung on for the ride.
And the final elim, included a number of breaker’s, but in the end, it was No. 7 Markofdistinction winning for driver James McClure and part owner/trainer Norm Jones of Campbellville, Ont. Despite getting away fourth, several breakers allowed the son of Mr Lavec to move up to the lead by the half and he held it in 2:05.1. Puerta Vallarta (Bruce Richardson) was the runner-up.
After the four eliminations were held a post position draw was conducted for next Saturday’s $58,000 final:
1. Zorgwijk Knight
2. Tortes Finale
3. Hava Kadabra
4. Markofdistinction
5. Julians Ceasar
6. Warrawee Leader
7. Puerto Vallarta
8. Fuel Cell
Also on Saturday's program was the $25,700 final of the Saugeen Pacing Series.
Locally owned and trained Grace And Harv went into the final after winning both her eliminations for new owners Dave Carson of Listowel, and Lloyd Young of Tiverton, Ont. Despite starting from Post 8, Grace And Harv (Randy Fritz) got away third by the quarter pole behind Reunion Girl and driver Robert Fenech, who bolted off the gate in :27.2. Rail-sitter Putnam Sensational (Bruce Richardson) got away second, but Grace And Harv took over second place by the half in :57.2. Grace And Harv tried several times to battle Reunion Girl, including just before the wire, but the six-year-old daughter of D M Dillinger was too tough and won by a quarter length.
Owner Kevin Bailey of Oshawa said he brought his daughter with him for her first ever race, and believes she was the good luck charm. He added it was no surprise to him that Reunion Girl bolted off the gate so fast, and she’s always had quick speed off the gate.
Grace And Harv finished second, followed by Jet Motion (Dave Boughton), owned by Carrie Revington of London and Brenda Mitchell of Georgetown.
Hanover has its final Wednesday night racing card of the season on August 26, followed by the annual All Trot Day, including the Balanced Image final, and $15,000 Walker Memorial Trot on Saturday, August 29. Post time at Hanover Raceway is 7:15 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)