Save America pulls out Champlain victory
MILTON, September 10, 2022 – Save America gave his connections anxious moments late en route to victory in the $185,250 Champlain Stakes on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
An overflow field of 11 contested the Champlain for two-year-old pacers.
Ace Of Aces blasted out strong to grab command, posting a snappy :26.2 opener. Favourite Save America stayed out on the first turn and surged up to the lead for driver Yannick Gingras. The public’s top choice led by the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.2.
In the stretch, Ace Of Aces angled out from second and inched on near even terms with Save America, who started to put in bumpy steps in the final-eighth. However, Gingras kept Save America together and powering forward to hold off Ace Of Aces by half a length in 1:50.2.
“I’ve been saying all along how he’s a little bit dumb in a good way, that he really didn’t know what he was doing, but tonight he knew he was racing and he was a bit of a handful in the post parade,” said Gingras of Save America. “I would’ve loved to get away fourth in the hole, but he really didn’t want any part of it.”
Gingras noted that the bobbles in the stretch by Save America have now happened in back-to-back starts, but the rookie quickly straightened out and dug in.
A son of Captaintreacherous, Save America is now three for four to begin his career. The youngster has stakes victories in a leg of the Kindergarten, division of the Nassagaweya and division of the Champlain.
A $300,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase, Save America has earned $168,850 for owners 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms. He paid $3.80 to win.
Trainer Nancy Takter confirmed post-race that Save America will compete in next Saturday’s Metro Pace eliminations.
Mark McKelvie