Nassagaweya and Eternal Camnation divisions contested
MILTON, August 27, 2022 – The full menu of Grand Circuit stakes action on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park included the Nassagaweya and Eternal Camnation Stakes.
A NASSAGAWEYA SWEEP
Rookie pacing colts owned by 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms captured both of the Nassagaweya Stakes divisions in impressive fashion.
The $127,650 first division saw Captain Batboy and Tim Tetrick with the early lead and they sped by the opening quarter in :26.3. The heavy favourite Save America took over just past that point and hit the half in a sensible :56.1 for Yannick Gingras.
Save America picked up the pace through the next quarter and paced by the three-quarters in 1:24.3 and could not be caught down the stretch hitting the wire in 1:51.4. Captain Batboy stayed tight on the cones to take second while Ontario-sired Write Me A Rose was third for Sylvain Filion.
It was the second win in just three starts this year for Save America owned by 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms. Tonight marked his first start since his impressive 1:49.4 victory in the Kindergarten Stake on August 4 at the Meadowlands but trainer Nancy Takter wasn’t too concerned about the time between races.
“He had a little time off before the Kindergarten too so I had that in the back of my mind that he would be okay. I trained him about 10 days ago, a mile in :55 at the farm and he was very good. He had a lot of foundation and conditioning so I wasn’t super concerned. Obviously race speed and training speed are different, but he did well tonight.
“He’s a very honest colt, he always gives everything he has. He’s a professional and I’m happy with him,” she said of the colt who will remain in Ontario for the next few weeks to compete in the Champlain and Metro.
Saturday’s effort put Save America’s purse earnings over $76,000 on the year. The son of Captaintreacherous was bred by Fred Hertrich and sold for $300,000 at last year’s Harrisburg sale. He is a half-brother to Stag Party, a winner of $962,000 in his career and a winner of a Nassagaweya division in 2018 by an impressive 10 lengths. His half-sister is $594,000 winner Hen Party.
In the $128,650 second division it was Ace Of Aces grabbing early control for James MacDonald. That pair were by the opener in :27.2 and just past that point pocket sitter and favourite Huntinthelastdolar took over. Before the :56.3 half was reached Tickertape Hanover flew up quickly for Dexter Dunn to grab the first position.
That quick colt flew by the three-quarters in 1:24 and pulled away from his rivals down the stretch to win in 1:51.2. Ace Of Aces was second followed by Stormalong and Huntinthelastdolar.
Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Tickertape Hanover was a $160,000 purchase at Harrisburg by 3 Brothers and Caviart. Tonight’s effort was an impressive maiden breaking performance for the son of Huntsville who was making his fifth official start for trainer Linda Toscano.
Scott Zeron drove Tickertape Hanover at the start of the year including three baby races but he has been on the sidelines since an accident in July and Dunn made sure to give a shout out to the popular driver prior to talking about the trip and the rookie pacer.
“Quick shout out to Scotty – (Tickertape’s) a beautiful colt, if you look at him physically he’s very strong. When you sit behind him he gives you that feeling of power, “ noted Dunn who was obviously pleased with the trip. “I was pretty happy where I was, I took a shot and made a move. He’s the type of colt that once I got him rolling in top gear he carried it a long way.”
“He was a big growthy colt, it took a little longer to get him going but he did everything I asked him to do,” explained Linda. “Scotty laid a great foundation and I’m glad to break his maiden. I’ve been under no pressure whatsoever by the owners, they’re thinking toward the end of the year and he’s come into it perfectly. I’m going to take him home tomorrow and bring him back for the Metro.”
Heather MacKay for Woodbine Communications
BIG EFFORTS IN ETERNAL CAMNATION SPLITS
The Eternal Camnation Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies saw a pair of divisions contested.
Bankers Luck and driver Doug McNair Luck rallied from a third-over position to win the $118,150 first division in 1:52.1. The Tony Alagna trainee had been forwardly placed in her prior starts, but made things work with the off-the-pace trip for her third win in six starts.
Treacherous Penny moved to the lead in the second-quarter and posted panels solid panels of :55.3 and 1:23.1 to bring the field into the stretch. The leader couldn’t hang on and dropped back to finish third. Bankers Luck powered by all rivals for the score, while Windsun Tiara also finished up well to grab second, beat just a neck.
A daughter of Hes Watching, Bankers Luck has now earned $115,748 for owner/breeder Brittany Farms.
A $2 win ticket on Bankers Luck returned $6.80.
Sylvia Hanover edged a game Caviart Davia in a thrilling finish to the $117,150 second division.
Driven by Bob McClure, Sylvia Hanover got away fourth and would march first up on the final turn. Tony Alagna trainees Bellisima Hanover and Caviart Davia exchanged the lead around the half, which popped up in :55.2. Caviart Davia led down to three-quarters in 1:23.1.
In the stretch, Sylvia Hanover overtook the leader, but Caviart Davia gave her a fight. The fillies battled down to the wire with Sylvia Hanover winning by a head. Bellisima Hanover finished third.
A daughter of Always B Miki, Sylvia Hanover is now three for four and has earned $117,825 for owners Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc. The Steacy trainee was a $135,000 purchase at last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Sylvia Hanover and her connections will now be looking ahead at the remaining Grand Circuit events at Mohawk Park, including the rich Shes A Great Lady.
A $2 win ticket on Sylvia Hanover returned $3.10.
Live racing resumes Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7 p.m.
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Mark McKelvie