Hypnotic Tale seeks to tell her own story in Lynch eliminations
June 22, 2018,by Kim French, Hoof Beats Editor
Kim French
Columbus, OH — She may not be a permanent resident in Linda Toscano’s barn, but after how Hypnotic Tale has performed since her arrival there several weeks ago, Toscano will certainly be quite sad if the filly must go. She is, however, looking forward to witnessing how the newly crowned New Jersey Sire Stakes champion performs when she and David Miller take on the best in her division in the first of two $20,000 eliminations for the $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial on Saturday (June 23) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
“She is in with the best of the best,” said Toscano. “These fillies are quite different from the ones she has been racing against, but she is a nice filly and very easy to be around. We’ll see if she can step up.”
Although she has faith in Hypnotic Tale, Toscano was being very honest about the level of talent the filly will face. Hypnotic Take, who will be leaving from post position five for Miller in the seventh race, must contend with world champion and Dan Patch Award winner Youaremycandygirl (post two, Yannick Gingras, 5-2), Lismore Pace winner Alexa’s Power (post three, Tim Tetrick, 3-1) and the talented Double A Mint (post four, Matt Kakaley, 9-2).
The evening’s 14-race card also includes eliminations for the $500,000 Ben Franklin Pace for older pacers, the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial for sophomore trotters and the $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old male pacers to be conducted at the same venue next Saturday (June 30).
“Her elimination is very strong,” Toscano said. “That is why I was kind of surprised she was 4-1 when I looked at the morning line, because of the other fillies that are in there.”
Lisa photo
New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Hypnotic Tale heads to this weekend’s Lynch eliminations at Pocono.
Racing as a homebred for Ronald Mario, Hypnotic Tale is a daughter of Hypnotic Blue Chip and the classy mare Born Storyteller. The 3-year-old filly is a half-sister to Beach Story (Somebeachsomewhere, $266,894), Gambler’s Tale (Cam’s Card Shark, $255,011) and Born Of Fire (Dragon Again, $104,845). She is also the fourth offspring from her stakes-placed dam to break the $100,000 mark in purse money earned.
In fact, Hypnotic Tale is attempting to not only follow in Born Storyteller’s hoof prints, but to surpass them as her dam captured her Lynch elimination prior to a fourth-place finish in the $154,740 final in 2005.
“She was at The Meadows and was sent to me from Doug Snyder,” Toscano said. “I’m not sure what her schedule consists of but she was in the New Jersey Sire Stakes, now the Lynch and then I know she is eligible for some races at Freehold.”
As a freshman, Hypnotic Tale compiled a record of 7-1-4-0 and banked $43,600 with Kelvin Harrison as the trainer. She participated primarily in New Jersey Sire Stakes contests.
She returned to action as a sophomore with third and first place finishes at The Meadows on May 1 and May 8 in non-winners competition. The filly reeled off three consecutive victories after heading east to Toscano, including the $75,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final at The Meadowlands on June 1, before coming home fifth in another non-winners contest over the same surface on June 15.
“You never have to do anything with her and she never does anything wrong, but in her last race she made a break behind the gate,” Toscano said. “I think she just got a little hot behind it and I was pleased with how she recovered to catch the other horses. She got a little tired at the end, but that was to be expected. David (Miller) said she just seemed to get off on the wrong foot and was a little grabby leaving the gate. She settled down going into the turn and finished very well.
“I was very happy with that race and thought it was a big mile for her. All we can do is see how she does against these fillies on Saturday, but she is a very nice horse on her own.”
For Saturday’s complete Pocono entries, click here.
- Posts drawn for Sun Stakes eliminations on Saturday at Pocono (Monday, June 18, 2018)
The elimination races for the $2 million Sun Stakes Saturday card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono have been drawn. The elimination races will be conducted this Saturday (June 23), with those advancing to the championships going for the big money on Saturday (June 30).
- McWicked continues to impress at age 7 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)
Not many male pacers have won Dan Patch awards at ages 2 or 3 and returned to capture another trophy against older horses. The list since 1990 features Artsplace, Jenna’s Beach Boy, Gallo Blue Chip, Art Major, and Sweet Lou. All with the exception of Sweet Lou were 4-year-olds when they received their honor as an older horse; Sweet Lou was 5. McWicked, who earned a Dan Patch Award at age 3 in 2014, is hoping to add his name to the list — at the age of 7. And trainer Casie Coleman says the stallion has never been better.
- Sun Stakes eliminations highlight Grand Circuit action at Pocono (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will host four sets of stakes eliminations on Saturday (June 23).
- Lather Up’s connections reflect on Cup, look forward to Hempt (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)
When owner Gary Iles reflects on Lather Up’s win in last week’s Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park, he cannot help but feel blessed. Iles and his wife Barbara watched their homebred colt overcome a number of obstacles and horses to reach the top of the 3-year-old pacing ranks with his win in the C$1 million race.
- Svanstedt ready to show off Six Pack (Thursday, June 21, 2018)
Ake Svanstedt can find no reason to dislike Six Pack, but he is particularly fond of one of the horse’s traits. “He is a horse that wants to win,” Svanstedt said about Six Pack, who is undefeated in three races this year and brings a six-race win streak to his Earl Beal Jr. Memorial elimination Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. “He is a little bit lazy, but he wants to have his head before the other horses.”
- Lather Up, Manchego shine at Pocono (Saturday, June 23, 2018)
On Saturday evening (June 23) eliminations were contested at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono for the $500,000 Ben Franklin Pace, the $500,000 Earl Beal Memorial, the Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace and the $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial Pace. Also included on the star-studded card was a leg of the Great Northeast Open Series which was captured by Bettor’s Edge in the sharp 1:48.2; the swiftest North American mile this season.