Im Just Special was super special and nothing but spectacular on Friday at Mohawk Racetrack as she scored in the $179,300 S.B.O.A. Final for three-year-old pacing fillies.
The field was cut to seven fillies when 4-5 morning-line favourite Chancey Lady was a late scratch due to sickness.
Im Just Special began from Post 7 for driver Jody Jamieson and the Camluck – Ladys Special Girl filly floated off the gate at the :27 opening panel before taking command from Voelz Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) down the backside.
Once on the lead, Im Just Special broke the half-mile beam in :56.1 as All Accounted For (Steve Condren) started the outside flow. All Accounted For got to Im Just Special's wheel at the 1:24.1 three-quarters, but that was as close as she was going to get.
Jamieson let Im Just Special loose and she responded with a :27.2 final split, winning by a length and three-quarters in 1:51.3. Volez Hanover was second while Windsong Eva (Jack Moiseyev) grabbed third.
"I was contemplating a few different strategies when the gate folded, a couple horses left hard so I floated out. I was going to drop into fourth and then I saw Mario [driving Voelz Hanover] was grabbing up pretty good looking for the two-hole," said Jamieson. "This mare was good last week, I thought I had a chance to reel in Chancey Lady halfway down the stretch last week, but I just couldn't get by her. It made a big difference to have the best filly out tonight.
"She has just gotten better as the summer goes on. I think she held her own in the Fan Hanover, but there is so much money in OSS program, it doesn't make sense to race for fourth and fifth money against the top fillies. If they want to try her, I'm sure she will do fine because she always gives her all."
Tom Artandi conditions Im Just Special ($3.10) for the partnership of Theodore S & Susan H Colby. The filly is 8-5-2 in 17 seasonal starts, banking $312,784. Winning for the ninth time in her career, she boasts earnings of $330,715.
To view Mohawk's results, click here.