from WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Undefeated 2-year-old pacing colt Artspeak was victorious in a division of the Nassagaweya Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday night (Aug. 16).

Twenty-six 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings were split into three divisions for the Nassagaweya Stakes.

One of the most talked about freshmen in the sport, Artspeak turned in another easy-looking victory in his Canadian debut to take the C$91,425 final division.

New Image Media photo

Artspeak and Scott Zeron won a division of the Nassagaweya Stakes Saturday night at Mohawk.

A son of Western Ideal–The Art Museum, Artspeak and driver Scott Zeron left from post position eight and cleared to the lead just after the opening quarter of :28. Once on the lead, Artspeak controlled right to the finish line, posting fractions of :56.2 and 1:25 before cruising home in :27.4 to win the fastest division of the night in 1:52.4.

Lyons Again, who grabbed the early lead and got a two hole trip, finished 2-1/4 lengths back in second, while Some Power closed up well to take third.

Trained by Tony Alagna for owners Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Joe Sbrocco and the In The Gym Partners, Artspeak is a perfect four for four and now has earnings of more than C$115,000.

Artspeak was a $100,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase. He returned $2.90 to win.

The first division for a purse of C$89,924 went to Sports Bettor, who pulled off a huge 60-1 upset.

A son of Sportswriter–Shellys Delight, Sports Bettor and driver Randy Waples left from post eight and got away in the two hole. Lyons Levi Lewis cut the mile and after a half of :57.1, hung up a third quarter of :27 to carry a four length lead over Sports Bettor into the stretch.

In the stretch, Lyons Levi Lewis continued to lead deep into the lane, but Sports Bettor grinded him down and got up in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:53.2. Rollin Ring Afire finished third, while The Wayfaring Man rounded out the superfecta.

Sports Bettor is trained by Mark Austin for owner/breeder Frank Gentile and the Nassagaweya Stakes victory was a maiden breaking score. Sports Bettor now has earnings of more than C$76,000 in six career starts. He paid $141.50 to win.

The C$91,425 second division saw Waples return to the winner’s circle, this time with Traceur Hanover.

Traceur Hanover left from post three and allowed Go Daddy Go to clear to the front just after the opening quarter to take a two hole trip. Go Daddy Go led the field into the stretch off a three-quarter time of 1:24.

In the stretch, Traceur Hanover came off the rail to take his best shot at Go Daddy Go and was able to power past the leader in deep stretch to win in 1:53.3. Trading Up made a late rally to finish third, while Lyons Geoffjnr was fourth.

A son of Western Ideal–Transference, Traceur Hanover has now won three times in four career starts and has career earnings of more than C$60,000. A $100,000 yearling purchase at last November’s Harrisburg Sale, Traceur Hanover is trained by Normand Bardier Jr. for owner Richard Berthiaume. He returned $9.80 to win.

Trio of Eternal Camnation divisions contested

Twenty-five freshman pacing fillies were on display in three divisions of the Eternal Camnation stakes.

Shakai Hanover and driver Jody Jamieson took the first C$76,245 division in a career best 1:52.4.

A daughter of Well Said–She’s A Fan, Shakai Hanover showed the most early speed, leading the field past the opening quarter of :28. Bedroomconfessions made a brush to the lead in the second quarter and controlled the tempo in the middle half, posting fractions of :56.2 and 1:24.1.

In the stretch, Jamieson brought Shakai Hanover out of the two hole to battle Bedroomconfessions, separating themselves from the rest of field. Shakai Hanover just got her nose in front of Bedroomconfessions at the wire to win a tight photo finish, with a last quarter of :28.1. Happy Becky, the 3-5 favorite, was fifth at the three-quarter pole and finished up her mile with a :27.2 final panel to take third.

Shakai Hanover is trained by Carl Jamieson, who shares ownership with Winnipeg Racing and Vira Hope Johnson. The stakes victory was the second win in four starts for Shakai Hanover and it boosted her career earnings to more than C$82,000. She paid $9.70 to win.

In the second C$76,245 division, the photo finish camera was not needed as JK She’salady won by seven lengths in 1:53.4.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, JK She’salady was seventh at the half and was brought to the outside behind cover that was failing to keep up. Gingras sent the daughter of Art Major–Presidential Lady three-wide on the way to the three-quarter pole and JK She’salady responded by pacing around the field and taking the lead at the top of the lane.

JK She’salady paced away from her rivals with a last quarter of :27.3 to remain undefeated in four starts. Trained by Nancy Johansson for owners the 3 Brothers Stable, JK She’salady increased her bankroll to more than C$68,000 in her young career. Cowgirl Tough finished second, while Cashaway took the show spot. JK She’salady returned $2.90 to win.

The final division for a purse of C$77,745 was captured by Solar Sister and driver Doug McNair in 1:54.

A daughter of Mach Three–Cabrini Hanover, Solar Sister was fourth at the half and came first up to challenge Palette Tina, getting to within a half-length at three-quarter pole. In the stretch, Solar Sister took a slight lead halfway down the lane and dug in to hold off a trio of fillies that were within a length and a quarter at the wire, pacing her final quarter in :29.1.

Palette Tina, who finished second, beaten a neck, was placed back to fourth for gaining an unfair advantage by going inside a pylon in the stretch. After the placing, Ideal Nuggets became the second place finisher, while Float On By was bumped up to third.

Solar Sister is a homebred filly trained by Gregg McNair for owners David Willmot and Clay Horner. She paid $27.50 to win.

For many of the freshman pacers, the Nassagaweya and Eternal Camnation Stakes served as preps for next week’s eliminations for the Metro Pace and the She’s A Great Lady Stakes. The C$685,000 Metro Pace final and the C$450,000 She’s A Great Lady Stakes final will take place along with the C$650,000 Canadian Pacing Derby on Saturday (Aug. 30) at Mohawk Racetrack.