Don Mills Series opens
January 27, 2004,by Jeff Renton, Woodbine Entertainment Group
Toronto, ON — The weather conditions were downright nasty on Monday evening, but it was all systems go, as the Don Mills Series for four-year-old trotters went postward under less than pristine conditions at Woodbine.
With three second allowances given and a punishing winter storm in full effect, it was Mr Garjangles and Dyno Trevor who made their efforts worthwhile, as they took their respective C$20,000 divisions.
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Mr Garjangles (Trevor Ritchie) wins the opening division of the Don Mills Series.
It was a pair of Mr Lavec trotters carving their way through the lane in the opening test, which was ultimately decided by Mr Garjangles and driver Trevor Ritchie in 1:591.
On the lead for the duration of the mile, Mr Garjangles, a student of conditioner Cal Campbell, posted times of :272, :573 and 1:292 at the first three calls, and came home in :294.
Going off at 4-5, Mr Garjangles earned his first victory of the year after seven wins as a three-year-old. Mr Garjangles beat out Deadmans Curve and Swagger at the wire.
Owned by Ontario’s Canamerica Capital Corp. and Doug Millard Holdings, along with Stephen Scarff of Nova Scotia, Mr Garjangles returned $3.70, $2.70 and $2.60 across the board. Deadmans Curve ($3.60, $2.90) and Swagger ($5.40) played in to the $12.60 exactor and the $69.60 triactor.
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Dyno Trevor (#8) edges out Muscles Dream (#6) in the second division of the Don Mills Series.
Trying to hang on to another gate-to-wire try, Muscles Dream was caught late by Dyno Trevor in 1:592 during the second division.
Sitting mid-pack through the early :28, :583 and 1:294 panels, Dyno Trevor, a Conway Hall–Super Susan gelding, mowed down the leader in deep stretch as they were well-gapped from the rest of the field.
Owned by David Knapp and Christina Maxwell of Ontario, along with George Snyder, Jr. of Kentucky, Dyno Trevor marched to his first victory of the year from a pair of starts.
Having composed a solid record last year as a three-year-old, Dyno Trevor, a Brad Maxwell pupil, returned $4.70, $3.50 and $3.30 with the win. Muscles Dream ($2.90, $2.20) and Newtown ($4.20) were the other pieces to the $21.70 exactor and $64.10 triactor.
The C$20,000 second leg of the Don Mills Series is scheduled for next Monday, February 2nd.
Miss Vera Bars Final wide open
An intriguing ensemble of three-year-old pacing fillies make up this Thursday’s C$43,800 final of the Miss Vera Bars Series.
Highlighted by preliminary victors Fits Of Laughter, Shesaporsche, Soutine Hanover and Artachebythenumber, the 17th edition of the Miss Vera Bars looks to be a wide-open affair.
Fits Of Laughter, trained by Blair Burgess for owner Brittany Farms, has drawn along the cones for the final (race six, 9:15 p.m.).
The daughter of Grinfromeartoear–Armbro Thavage has yet to miss the board this year, compiling a record of 1-0-2. Luc Ouellette is listed to be in the sulky once more after having steered the filly in the initial legs. The tandem hooked up for a victory by a nose in 1:564 during the first leg, and finished four and a quarter lengths back in third during last week’s second leg.
Joe Stutzman trainee Shesaporsche had her three race win streak snapped last week in the second leg and has drawn post five for Thursday.
Owned by Canamerica Capital Corp. and Stephen Scarff, Shesaporsche came on strong through the final turn last week, but failed to get up on Soutine Hanover in the lane, as she fell just a neck short. A Daughter of Western Hanover–Perfidia, the sophomore hasn’t missed the board in all of her five career starts and sports a record of 1-1-0 in 2004.
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In last week’s second leg of the Miss Vera Bars Series, Soutine Hanover (#6) edged out Shesaporsche (#3).
After her gritty score over Shesaporsche in last week’s leg, Soutine Hanover found no luck in the post position draw and will start from the outside 10 hole.
Trained by Ben Wallace, the Rustler Hanover–Southbrook Matty miss was well raced as a two-year-old (12 starts) and showed her character with her game second leg performance. Through three trips behind the gate this year, Soutine Hanover has a resume of 2-0-1. Owned by Tony Aarts along with Mervin Smith, Soutine Hanover has hosted driver Paul MacDonell in the initial legs, and he is again listed to get the drive for the final.
Artachebythenumber, the second of the Wallace pupils in the final, is coming off a second leg score and will start from post seven.
After missing the first leg and coming in off of a pair of Mohawk qualifiers, Artachebythenumber will have a new driver in the sulky. Mario Baillargeon has drawn the assignment, as regular reinsman Steve Condren chose to pilot Shesaporsche for the final.
Co-owned by Wallace along with Aarts and fellow Ontario residents James Millier and Steven Barclay, Artachebythenumber’s second leg triumph was impressive, seeing as though it was only her first race back since late October. Having defeated post time favourite What A Fantasy in that game, one length effort, the daughter of Artiscape–Blue Eyes Cryin should attract some attention on Thursday.
The rest of the field for the C$43,800 Miss Vera Bars Series Final is as follows:
Head # – Horse – PP – Listed Driver
1 – Artachebythenumber – (pp 7) – M. Baillargeon
1A – Soutine Hanover – (pp 10) – P. MacDonell
2 – Fits Of Laughter – (pp 1) – L. Ouellette
3 – Croquette Hanover – (pp 2) – K. Oliver
4 – Storm Girl – (pp 3) – T. Ritchie
5 – Whitesand Jewel – (pp 4) – M. Baillargeon
6 – Shesaporsche – (pp 5) – S. Condren
7 – Electra Dreamer – (pp 6) – Ph. Hudon
8 – What A Fantasy – (pp 8) – C. Christoforou
9 – Lola J – (pp 9) – P. Crowe