If your daddy’s name wasn’t Kadabra, then you were racing for minor spoils in Thursday’s Champlain Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack.
Inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, Kadabra watched daughters Could It Be Magic, Emoticon Hanover and Caprice Hill sweep their Grand Circuit assignments over an off track.
Could It Be Magic was sent off as the even-money favourite in her $86,460 division, and she romped to an easy win for trainer/driver Wayne Henry. He got away fourth with the stable star, but she was on the first-over attack going to the half. She muscled to the front going into the final turn after I Want Kandy and Silvia took turns on the lead through panels of :28.2 and :58.3. Could It Be Magic sliced out the third fraction in 1:27.4 before cruising home in a :30-second clip en route to the win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4 over High Heels. Third prize went to Pennies From Above.
Henry Stable of Arthur and Fred Brayford of Alliston, ON own the filly out of the mare In The Mean Time. She now boasts a 5-for-6 record and a bankroll that stands at $149,980.
Emoticon Hanover was a popular winner in her $87,960 assignment despite being parked every step of the mile for driver Sylvain Filion. The filly, out of the mare Emmylou Who, left out from Post 9 and found herself fifth and parked at the quarter in :28.2. She was third and limbed out at the half in :58.3, and was still on the outside looking in during her bid to clear at the three-quarter pole in 1:28.3. She eventually worked her way to the front and used a :28.4 closing panel to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Worldclass Hanover in 1:57.2. Taking home third prize in the rich tilt was Ultimate Shopper.
Luc Blais trains the talented lass for Determination of Montreal, QC. The win improved her record to four wins from five starts, and the lion’s share of the loot lifted her cash stash to $112,730.
Caprice Hill made it a clean sweep for trotting sire Kadabra thanks to her 1:56.2 powerhouse performance in the final division. Out of the trotting mare Bramasole, Caprice Hill charged to the lead from Post 7 for driver Yannick Gingras and never looked back after cruising through panels of :28.3, :58.4 and 1:27.4. A :28.3 closing quarter helped propel the filly to the win by 7-1/4 lengths over Im Outstanding. Taking home the show dough was Twice Is Right.
Tony Alagna trains the photogenic youngster for Tom Hill of Hamilton, ON. It was the fourth win in five starts for Caprice Hill, who upped her earnings to $157,730 with the victory.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.