After having been scratched out of his $134,153 division of the Simcoe Stakes this past Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack, three-year-old gelding Shipps Xpectancy
put his best foot forward during this morning's six-race qualifying session at the Campbellville, Ont. oval.
The John Kopas trainee, piloted by Jack Moiseyev, left from Post 2 in the fifth race this morning and went on to record a 13 and a half-length victory in a sharp 1:52. The gelding had been scratched out of the Simcoe division on Saturday after having been late for retention.
Shipps Xpectancy, owned by the Harold Shipp Stable of Mississauga, made his last pari-mutuel start in the August 16 Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs, where he finished sixth to If I Can Dream.
In the first qualifier this morning, two-year-old pacer Brusiers Brother dominated his rivals by a similar margin, delivering a 1:56 effort for driver Mike Saftic and trainer Louie Eftimiadis of Newmarket, Ont. Like Shipps Xpectancy, Brusiers Brother is a son of Mach Three. He has yet to break his maiden in six starts.
Another Kopas pupil, Reach Higher, trotted home the victor in the second qualifier, stopping the timer in 1:59.4. The Striking Sahbra two-year-old made a break in his last pari-mutuel start, the September 6 Champlain Stakes, as well as the August 30 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold final at Mohawk, but kept his gait true this morning to finish almost nine lengths ahead of his colleagues.
Yet another Mach three offspring, also trained by Eftimiadis, took the third qualifier. Two-year-old Adrenaline front-stepped a 1:57.1 mile for driver Rick Zeron. Like his stablemate, he is owned by Gerald Mijal of Westland, Michigan. His earnings total just over $100,000 for his connections, with his last start a month ago in an OSS Gold final at Flamboro Downs, where he finished fourth to Wellthereyougo.
Four-year-old trotting gelding O U Gus prevailed in the fourth qually by five lengths in 2:00.1. Jack Moiseyev steered the son of Angus Hall for trainer Jerry Duford, who co-owns with breeder Glengate Farms. O U Gus has been off since April of this year, and made his first qualifying appearance a week ago.
The final qualifier went to four-year-old pacing mare Windsun Rain,by one and a half lengths in 1:55. Randy Waples did the honours for conditioner Bill Davis. Windsun Rain, a daughter of The Panderosa, has recorded three wins in 17 starts this year for owner Audrey Leighland of Coquitlam, BC.
To view the charted harness racing results from this morning's qualifying session, Click here.
(With files from WEG)