by Greg Gangle – WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — With a trio of C$89,267 Champlain Stakes divisions featuring sophomore filly trotters taking place Thursday evening at Mohawk Racetrack, it was Check Me Out who stole the show with a 1:55.1 stakes record performance.

The daughter of Donato Hanover-Illusion Bi sat comfortably in the four-hole in the early going as Bluff (Jody Jamieson) provided plenty of pace to chase as she led her rivals past the opening panel in :26.3.

Superstar Hanover (Jimmy Takter) angled out from third and brushed to the lead at the mid-way point in :57.

Driver Tim Tetrick called upon Check Me Out around the final turn as she committed first-over and was within striking range of Superstar Hanover past three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Down the stretch, Check Me Out motored past Superstar Hanover and fended off all late challengers to remain undefeated in her career as she captured her eight-straight victory. Superstar Hanover remained in second over Xquisite Chocolate (Trevor Ritchie).

“She’s very smart and she does her job correctly,” Tetrick said. “They went plenty in the first quarter then backed down the middle-half so my filly went first-over and she raced all the way down the stretch and it was a good mile today.

“I didn’t mind being first-over with her because she doesn’t really seem to mind it,” Tetrick continued. “Mentally she can take it and as long as she can see horses in front of her and when I went by them she knew what to do. She’s just a really nice filly.”

Ray Schnittker trains and co-owns the winner with Charles Iannazzi. She paid $2.40 for the win.

After making a break in her OSS Gold elimination in her most recent outing, Randy Waples guided Witch Way to her fourth victory this season.

The daughter of Ken Warkentin-Chelemark Gizmo floated off the gate in the early going and settled into the pocket as Muscles Soul (Yves Gauthier) took her six rivals past the opening frame in :29.1.

Waples quickly used his charge once again as Witch Way took over command to lead past the half in :59.2 and three-quarters in 1:29.2.

Cool Creek Breeze (Mario Baillargeon) attacked first-over around the final turn and into the stretch, but could only get to the leaders wheel as Witch Way would score a comfortable victory in a new lifetime best performance of 1:58.3. Cool Creek Breeze stayed for second with Lady Indi (Tim Tetrick) finishing third.

“She’s just a good filly, it’s as simple as that,” Waples commented following the win. “Last week she jumped it off late, but she was going to win but, had a few minor issues to deal with that caused her to make the break.”

Waples sat behind the winner earlier in the week and knew she would be on her game.

“I trained her here (Mohawk Racetrack) the other day and she was really good and back to her old self and it reflected again tonight.”

Sent off as the bettors’ choice with odds of 9-5, Joe Macisaac conditions the bay filly for Doug Millard and Carolyn Macisaac.

In the final division, Love Walked In and driver Andy Miller scored the victory as the post time favorite in 1:57.2.

The daughter of Glidemaster-So Fine Kash left alertly from post eight, but was still on the outside at the opening panel as Flower Bouquet (Jack Moieyev) got there in :28.2.

Flower Bouquet would release Love Walked In heading towards the half and the three-time winner would lead past the mid-way point in :59.1 and three-quarters in 1:28.1.

Love Walked In would extend her lead as the fillies turned for home, but in deep stretch Frisky Strike (Tim Tetrick) was gaining with every stride but, could not reach the tempo-setter in the final strides.

“I wasn’t too worried [being on the outside] because we were not going a whole lot, but she’s definitely better out of a hole” Miller said. “She opened up fairly easily turning for home, but then she got lost. She was looking for a little company then it took her a little urging to get her back to her task. ”

Love Walked In is trained by Julie Miller for owners Riverview Farm and Michael Parisi. She paid $2.80 to win.