If they were handing out grades for effort in Saturday’s single $247,894 Simcoe Stakes division for three-year-old pacing colts at Mohawk Racetrack, Kyle Major may very well have earned an A plus
and then some.
The strapping son of Art Major – So Clear was hounded every step of the way but dug in gamely at the end to hold on for driver Mark MacDonald in 1:49.4 during heavy rainfalls at the Campbellville oval.
Making just his second start for new trainer Casie Coleman, Kyle Major left alertly from Post 5 and was caught in an early three-wide battle with Piece Of The Rock (Paul MacDonell) and Dalhousie Dave (Jody Jamieson) through a fast first quarter of :26.1.
Kyle Major got to the front in the backstretch and then appeared poised to release Dalhousie Dave to the front with Aracache Hanover (Doug McNair) following a parked-out third. MacDonald could sense Dalhousie Dave was struggling to clear and opted to drive on with Kyle Major, who put up a torrid half of :54-seconds.
Dalhousie Dave remained tenacious and pressed the pacesetter through three panels of 1:21.4, apparently setting things up for the closers. As the horses fanned six-wide in the stretch, it was Classic Rock Nroll (John Campbell) closing fastest of all on the extreme outside and, just as it looked like he would go by to win, Kyle Major surged once again to get his nose on the wire first.
Classic Rock Nroll just missed with Piece Of The Rock coming back on to dead-heat for show with a gutsy Dahousie Dave. The winner returned $5.10 as the favourite of the bettors.
“It was probably an exciting race to watch but not an exciting race to drive because I was in trouble from the get go,” said MacDonald during a post-race interview. “Paul [MacDonell - driving Piece Of The Rock] wanted me to follow him and I had guys on my wheel the whole time.
“He [Kyle Major] raced exceptional because he probably should have finished about fourth off that trip but he’s a really great colt. I had all intentions of letting Dalhousie Dave go at the half, but I was worried about shutting my colt’s air off so I had to drive on. When we got there in 1:21 and change, I mean these horses can handle that but it’s still a little scary.”
Kyle Major improved his seasonal summary to five wins from 14 starts this season and increased his 2010 bankroll to just over $262,000 for owner Robert Hamather of Exeter, ON.
The colt is eligible to the Little Brown Jug, which comes up in less than two weeks in Delaware, Ohio.
Break The Bank K Sends Message In CTC Elim
As he looks ahead to next weekend’s $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic for three-year-olds at Mohawk Racetrack, conditioner Trond Smedshammer can be forgiven if he is hoping for rain.
On Saturday night, he watched his pupil, Break The Bank K win for the second consecutive week over a Campbellville oval downgraded to sloppy as he easily captured the single $40,000 elimination for this year’s event for driver Brian Sears.
The outside Post 10 was no obstacle for the three-year-old son of Revenue S – American Misty who left well and was able to drop into fourth position through the first quarter of :28 seconds.
Meanwhile, race favourite Temple Of Doom, who was coming off a world-record effort in his prior start at Tioga Downs, struggled to clear for driver David Miller and didn’t get down to the pylons until the field had almost reached the halfway point.
As the field trotted towards the final turn, Sears brought Break The Bank K to the outside and the pair advanced methodically through three-quarters of 1:27.1. The top pair were on even terms turning for home, but as they straightened up in the stretch, Break The Bank K found another gear and easily trotted away from his rivals to stop the clock in 1:56.
Temple Of Doom began to weaken in second and was picked up for the place spot by Take My Picture (John Campbell). Temple Of Doom did narrowly hold third over an onrushing Hes A Demon. The winner returned $8.50 as the second choice in the wagering.
“I was a little careful with him leaving and wanted to keep him trotting,” said Sears. “The horse acted fine and was good gaited and responded when I called on him. He doesn’t seem to mind first over. His attitude is getting better and he’s trying harder for me. He was pretty much on his own tonight.”
The victory was the third overall and second straight for Break The Bank K who won a division of the Simcoe Stakes last week at Mohawk by 13-1/2 lengths under similar conditions. The win vaulted him over $172,000 in earnings this season for owner Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania.
By virtue of the win, the connections of Break The Bank K got to choose their post for next Saturday’s lucrative final and they opted for post four. The top eight finishers will join Muscle Massive and Lucky Chucky, who accepted byes, in the $1 million contest.
Here’s a look at the field for the Canadian Trotting Classic in post position order:
1. Lucky Chucky
2. Temple Of Doom
3. Coco Lindy
4. Break The Bank K
5. Muscle Massive
6. Hard Livin
7. Text Me
8. Pilgrims Taj
9. Take My Picture
10. Hes A Demon
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)