Rookies Impress In Rideau Series
Rookies sparred in round two of the Tara Hills Trotting Series, the Boys Of Summer Pacing Series and the Frisky Fillies Pacing Series during Monday’s 15-race program at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Intimidate kicked off his career with a 2:04 score in the first division of the Tara Hills Trotting Series. The son of Justice Hall-Fabulous Tag rallied from just off the pace for driver Yves Filion en route to the half-length triumph over Spencer Grenville. Ghirardelli Lindy, who was a winner in leg one of the series, was third.
The homebred is owned by Judith Farrow of Hemmingford and trainer Luc Blais of Lochaber Ouest, QC.
Majestic View turned a two-hole trip into a 2:04 tally in the second division for the tandem of driver Mario Charron and trainer Claude Beausoleil. The son of Majestic Son-Aunt Tilly only needed a :31.3 final frame to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Springtimeinalaska. Day Dream took home the show dough in the $6,100 affair.
Purchased for $12,000 at last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, Majestic View is owned by Roland Rocco of Lasalle, QC.
For the second straight week there was just a single division of the Frisky Fillies Pacing Series, and this week’s lone tilt went to My Ideal Hanover in 1:59. Trainer/driver Robbie Robinson was parked to the quarter pole in :28.3 with the Western Ideal-Mydancecardisfull miss before crossing down to the pylons and grabbing the lead. Once in command of the tempo, she cruised through middle panels of :59.4 and 1:29.4 before using a :29.1 closing quarter to post the win. It was 2-3/4 lengths back to runner-up Pink E Bank, with third prize going to Majic Laughter.
Stephanie and Brian Cassell of Gloucester, ON own the pacing lass, who was purchased for a mere $2,200 out of last year’s New Jersey Classic Yearling Sale. She is now a perfect 3-for-3 to start her career.
Retail proved to be much the best in the first of two $6,100 divisions of the Boys Of Summer Pacing Series. He sped through fractions of :29, :59.4 and 1:28.2 for trainer/driver Guy Gagnon before kicking home in a :29-second clip to stop the clock in 1:57.2 in what was a maiden-breaking effort for the son of Royal Mattjesty-Jodi St Laurent. It was 6-3/4 lengths back to runner-up Warrawee Newton, with Casimir Lets Go taking home the bronze medal.
Robert Seguin owns the rookie who was purchased for $12,000 from last year’s Canadian Yearling Sale. The colt is a son of Winbak Farm of Canada's Royal Mattjesty, out of Winbak Farm's Jodi St Laurent (Life Sign).
OK Ebury, who was a 1:57 winner in the opening leg of the series, captured the second division in 1:58.3 with the greatest of ease for driver Todd Warren. After parking past the quarter pole in a :30-second clip, the son of Modern Art-Jennies Girl forged his way to the lead and laid down middle intervals of 1:00.3 and 1:30.1 en route to the 1:58.3 triumph. It was 3-1/4 lengths back to second-place finisher Mister Icon, while Frankies Dragon grabbed third prize.
The victory improved the freshman’s record to 3-0-1 in four tries, and the lion’s share of the purse pushed his earnings to $20,980. Luc Loyer of Gatineau, QC owns and trains the pacer, who was a $13,000 purchase from last year’s Canadian Yearling Sale.