by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Blue Porsche, Idyllic and Strike An Attitude recorded their first charted lines of 2011 on Thursday morning (May 19) at Mohawk.

Blue Porsche and regular pilot Trevor Ritchie took over command past a :58.3 half and never looked back to coast a 1:56.1 clocking.

Last year, the son of Glidemaster captured the $539,000 Valley Victory final before becoming Canada’s 2-year-old trotting colt of the year. His 1:54.1 lifetime best is a Canadian record.

After the qualifier, trainer Blair Burgess was pleased with his youngster’s performance.

“That’s right about where we wanted to go,” he said. “The track was a little off this morning so I’d allow a second or two.

“I’m not sure what the immediate plan is for him. Were concentrating on the Goodtimes as his first major test. I don’t think we will go to a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes event so we might qualify him again in 10 days or look for an overnight.”

The $402,568 lifetime winner is owned by Bob Burgess, Karin Olsson Burgess and Blue Porsche Stable.

Like the majority of last year, Strike An Attitude and Idyllic went head-to-head Thursday morning. The Bob McIntosh pupil, Strike An Attitude, found the wire first over Idyllic.

Idyllic, who earned $786,749 last year before earning an O’Brien Award as Canada’s top 2-year-old filly pacer, led through fractions of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:24. Strike An Attitude, who was sitting on her back for driver Scott Zeron, pulled out late in the mile to out sprint Idyllic in 1:52.3.

Following the qualifier, trainer Casie Coleman wasn’t disappointed in her pupil’s effort, but stated that a few equipment changes have to be made.

“She qualified awesome, but we have to make a few equipment changes,” Coleman said. “She was very hot today for Mark (MacDonald); she had trouble relaxing so we’ll make a few changes. She was under wraps today with the earplugs still in.”

Coleman also noted that Idyllic would likely come back next week for another qualifying session.

Coleman was busy again Thursday morning as Western Silk returned for a second qualifying effort. After qualifying in 1:55.1 last week, the 4-year-old daughter of Western Terror scored a 10 length victory Thursday morning in 1:54.

After capturing last year’s Fan Hanover Stakes and Jugette, Coleman says her $1.37 million winner is ready to go.

“She qualified absolutely awesome today. What can you say about her, she’s just unreal,” she said. “We won’t qualify her again; she’s ready to go. I’ll look to race her next weekend at Mohawk.”

A trio of 3-year-old colt pacers found the winner’s circle Thursday morning for Coleman. Mancheser Hanover (1:55.2), Ohmygosh Hanover
(1:56.1) and Celebrity Citation (1:56) have all been paid into this year’s C$1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup on June 18.

In the final qualifier, Coleman’s 4-year-old, Kyle Major, stopped the timer in 1:56.

Other qualifying winners included Tamarind (1:58) and Hummin Cummins (2:00).