Everyone in this business longs for that horse; the one that is a world champion, a Horse of the Year and charts the course of history so their name is forever distinguished, remembered and revered. Although Magic Presto has only just begun her career, the inspiration behind her purchase was the premonition that lightning may be captured in a bottle, not once, but twice, and that she could follow in the hoof prints of another filly that first served notice of her superiority with a victory in the 2012 Peaceful Way – Bee A Magician.
“She was a big, beautiful, strong yearling,” said Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman, the filly’s conditioner. “My owners always support Kadabra because they have shares in him, but this filly reminded me of Bee A Magician. That is why we went to $160,000 for her.”
Those are exceptionally high expectations for the daughter of Kadabra-In The Mean Time, who is owned by the same connections as the horse she was compared to in Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman and David McDuffee, along with Little E LLC. She may not be dominating the headlines, yet Magic Presto certainly has been living up to what her connections anticipate for her future. In her short career, the filly’s resume stands at 5-2-2-0 and she has banked $59,677.
Magic Presto will attempt to replicate the feat of her older stablemate when she starts from Post 10 in the $363,000 Peaceful Way final on Saturday (September 17) at Mohawk Racetrack. The filly will have the services of one of Canada’s best reinsmen, in Trevor Henry, and will enter the race after a very strong second in her elimination to Thats All Moni (Post 2).
Unfortunately, Magic Presto will have to contend with Post 10 when she takes on the likes of freshman trotting sensation Ariana G (Post 4).
After having been hampered by Post 9 in her elimination, Magic Presto was hung wide leaving the gate and was settled in fourth. She then endured a first-over journey which commenced at the three-quarter marker, only to be out-finished by Thats All Moni by two and a quarter lengths at the wire.
“You can’t do anything about where you draw,” Norman said. “I would not have selected either post for her in the elimination and final, but was very pleased with how she performed in the elimination. She will do anything you ask of her and is so willing. To come first-over and to have that kind of finish, you can’t ask anything more of her.”
As for Bee A Magician, the horse whose shoes Magic Presto is anticipated to fill, it is possible the six-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Beehive will return prior to the end of the season.
“She has been swimming,” Norman said. “We put her back in light training this week and all seems to be well. We would like to bring her back for the Breeders Crown, but there is still some time to go before we can see what will happen. I’m not really sure what we would use for a prep race for her, as it depends on what is available and how she progresses.”
When it comes to Magic Presto, however, the filly will have plenty of opportunities to stake her claim for divisional honours.
“Kadabra is a provincial stallion,” Norman said. “But my owners and I have done quite well with him and we think this filly has ability. She is cleanly gaited, you can put her anywhere you want to and she is staked to everything for the rest of the year. She will have the opportunities to progress and develop.”
$363,000 Peaceful Way Stakes
2-year-old filly trotters
Race 2 – Post time 7:50 p.m. (ET)
(PP–Horse–Driver–Trainer)
1. Stuck In My Spanks-Paul MacDonell-Scott McEneny
2. Thats All Moni-Tim Tetrick-Jimmy Takter
3. Pure Kemp-Rick Zeron-Rick Zeron
4. Ariana G-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter
5. Cameron Hill-John Campbell-John Bax
6. Southwind Avanti-David Miller-Nancy Johansson
7. Winter Sweet Frost-Scott Zeron-Paul Reid
8. The Erm-Mike Saftic-Clark Beelby
9. Dream Together-Sylvain Filion-Luc Blais
10. Magic Presto-Trevor Henry-Nifty Norman
(USTA)