To Helen Back turned in a strong two-move effort to score a mild upset in the single $50,000 elimination for this year’s Milton Stakes for aged pacing mares over a track rated 'good' on Saturday night at Mohawk
.
The six-year-old daughter of Astreos-Rocket Science flashed early speed from Post 6 for driver Mike Saftic and landed in the pocket behind Four Starzz Meliss (Jason Brewer) through a :26.3 opening panel.
In the second quarter, A And Gs Confusion (Mark MacDonald) attempted a backstretch brush to the front but was parked out by the pacesetter through a torrid :55 second half over the off going. The top pair continued to wage war in the third quarter with To Helen Back sitting just in behind them at the third panel in 1:23.3.
Saftic was able to swing his charge to the outside at the top of the stretch and quickly pounced on the winded leaders while getting the jump on the backfield. After opening up a substantial lead, she was easily able to hold off the fast-closing race favourite, Dreamfair Eternal (Tony Kerwood), with Hana Hanover (Randy Waples) overcoming a Post 10 start to land the show spot.
To Helen Back returned $17.70 to win while recording her fifth win in 19 outings this season for trainer John Pentland and owners Mike and Anne Shunock of Dorchester, Ontario. The victory boosted her over the prestigious $1 million mark in career earnings.
The top eight finishers earned a berth into next weekend’s $375,000 and will join stablemates Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess who both received byes. The connections of To Helen Back got to choose their post position and opted for Post 1.
Here is a look at the entire field in post position order for this year’s Milton Stakes final:
1. To Helen Back
2. Four Starzz Meliss
3. Alexis Hall
4. Hana Hanover
5. Artimittateslife
6. Southwind Swallow
7. Crystal Chris
8. Southwind Tempo
9. Dreamfair Eternal
10. Tug River Princess
In Saturday’s $40,000 Preferred Pace, another millionaire stepped into the spotlight with a late rally in rein to Saftic.
Favourite Hyperion Hanover (Rick Zeron) left alertly from Post 7 and reached the opening quarter in a quick :26.4 with Bolero Charles (Jody Jamieson) settling for the two-hole in front of Eagle Luck and Saftic.
From there, Clowns Smile (Mark MacDonald) brushed up from fourth and settled on top after the :56 half then led the way past three-quarters in 1:23.3 while the backfield was beginning to fire up. In the stretch, Hyperion Hanover pulled the pocket and Segundo Hanover (Jack Moiseyev) made a late charge off second-over cover, but Eagle Luck, who was shuffled back to sixth, swept past the field on the far outside with a :27.2 final frame for the 9-1 upset in 1:52 flat.
Segundo Hanover earned the runner-up’s share of the purse finishing two lengths behind in second and Hyperion Hanover rounded out the top three.
Gregg McNair trains the son of Camluck-Duncans Artsplace for Ohio’s Frank Dettore Horse Racin. Eagle Luck earned his fourth win in 27 starts this year bumping his ’09 earnings to $166,890. The six-year-old bay has won a total of 20 times over the course of his career.
Saftic scored a total of three wins on the 12-race card while Mark MacDonald enjoyed a driving grand slam.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from WEG)
congradulations helen, mike
congradulations helen, mike and anne. well done and well deserved. good luck next week.