Father Patrick romps in ‘Wellwood’ Final

by Greg Gangle – WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — Jimmy Takter’s Father Patrick lowered his own track, stakes and Canadian record when he captured the C$365,000 William Wellwood Memorial Trot, Saturday at Mohawk.

In an effortless manner, the sport’s top trotting star got under the wire first in 1:53.4 for regular pilot Yannick Gingras, just one-fifth off the world record, which was set by Muscle Hill in 2008.

The talented son of Cantab Hall-Gala Dream is the favorite to win the O’Brien Award as Canada’s top 2-year-old trotting colt with his 7-1-0 record from eight starts this season along with C$444,845 in earnings.

His victories include the Peter Haughton Memorial, his division of the Champlain Stakes and his ‘Wellwood’ elimination last week.

Beginning from post four, Gingras floated the 1/9 favorite Father Patrick off the gate and landed third as Odds On Amethyst (Dan Daley) marched to the front before the opening station in :27.1.

As the field settled into position, Gingras angled Father Patrick to the outside and cleared to the front before the mid-way point in :57.2. Odds On Amethyst was now in the pocket with other elimination winner Harper Blue Chip (Sylvain Filion) sitting third.

Father Patrick continued to lead the field of 10 past three-quarters in 1:26.1 and widened his lead down the stretch en route to a comfortable 5-1/2 length score. Harper Blue Chip came on to finish second with Credit Fashion (Brian Sears) finishing third.

“It’s scary to say that; he was a fifth of a second off the world record and it’s a cool night,” Gingras said following the win. “He could have definitely crushed it. He’s definitely the fastest 2-year-old I’ve ever sat behind and it’s just a pleasure to drive him”

Owned by the Father Patrick Stable of East Windsor, New Jersey, the trotter was a $105,000 yearling purchase at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. He was bred and sold by Brittany Farms of Versailles, Kentucky.

Father Patrick returned $2.30, $2.10 and $2.10, combining with Harper Blue Chip ($4, $2.30) for a $6.50 (4-3) exactor. A 4-3-8 (Credit Fashion, $4.10) $1 triactor was worth $12.60.

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