by Jeff Renton, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — Hambletonian winner Glidemaster made it look easy with a stakes record performance in his C$131,003 Simcoe Stakes division on Saturday (September 9) at Mohawk.

WEG Photo

Glidemaster and his connections are all smiles following his stakes record score in a Simcoe Stakes division.

With John Campbell in the sulky, Glidemaster, the 2-5 favorite in a field of six, powered up from third to take over from Was It A Dream approaching the far turn after the half-mile was reached in :56.4. From there, the outcome was never in doubt, as the three-year-old son of Yankee Glide reached the three-quarters in 1:25.4, before coasting home in a stakes record 1:53.2.

The winning margin was a mind-blowing eight and one-half lengths over second place finisher Colonel Talbot, with Was It A Dream third. Second choice Blue Mac Lad, who figured to give Glidemaster a bit of a tussle, made an early break before rallying to finish fourth.

Trained by Blair Burgess of Campbellville, Glidemaster was making his first start in over a month, since springing a 6-1 upset in the famed Hambletonian final on August 5 at the Meadowlands.

“I didn’t think he would be at the top of his game or if I had to use him a lot, he’d be quite as tight as he’s going to be in the next couple of weeks, but I had confidence in the horse,” said Campbell. “He’s got so much ability. He proved that tonight. He was very comfortable finishing. He looked pretty eager when I moved him. He was feeling full of himself. I think the rest has helped him from a mental standpoint. He was keen and eager to go. When I asked him a little bit around the last turn, he cleared and kind of cruised from there on his own.”

In an eventful C$133,003 first division of the Simcoe, second choice E L Mikko found room on the rail in the final strides to eke out a three-quarter length win over Jetn Lindy and heavily-favored Global Glide, in 1:56.4. However, after an inquiry, the judges slightly altered the order of finish, elevating Global Glide to second and demoting Jetn Lindy to third for a lapped on break at the wire.

Driven by Brian Sears, E L Mikko went to the front before the half, after the 1-5 choice, Global Glide, made a surprising break shortly after the start. But soon Jetn Lindy, with John Campbell, swooped by, followed by Global Glide, who had miraculously recovered and was first up with driver Ron Pierce.

Jetn Lindy took the field to the three-quarters in 1:28.4, while Global Glide was trying to mount a challenge on the outside. Meanwhile, E L Mikko stayed on the rail, hoping to find a hole in the late stages. He found one.

“I was trying to see what was going on back there,” said Sears, about being in front before the half. “I thought something might have happened. There was definitely concern (about finding room in the late stretch) but you’ve got to have some racing luck. Fortunately, I had some and got us a win. He’s definitely on the improve.”

It was the second win in six starts this year for E L Mikko, another son of Yankee Glide. Most recently, he’d finished second to Chocolatier in the World Trotting Derby at Du Quoin, Illinois on September 1.

Many of the Simcoe colts are expected back for next Saturday’s eliminations in preparation for the C$1 million Canadian Trotting Classic, to be held September 23.