by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

CAMPBELLVILLE, ON – Hagi hung tough in the first of two C$130,595 divisions of the Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts Saturday night at Mohawk racetrack, fighting off a determined challenge from Bigtime Ball and poking his nose ahead at the wire.

A short field of six went to the gate, with driver Rick Zeron moving Hagi smartly to the lead for an easy first quarter of 26.2. Longshot Windsun Ben, with Steve Condren in the bike, picked up the pocket ride while even-money favorite, Artriverderci, slipped into third. Just before the half, John Campbell asked Artriverderci to make a move, but the colt appeared to be laboring and could not manage to advance, while Hagi opened his lead to a length and a half. Shortly thereafter Artriverderci made a break.

Off the turn, Paul MacDonell sent Bigtime Ball after the leader, and the two engaged in a fierce stretch battle, but the photo revealed that Hagi had managed to keep his nose in front for a win in 1:49.2. Stars on the Water moved up to grab show money.

“It was a toss-up at the wire ‘cause we were flying home pretty good,” said Zeron. If you win by a nose, you still win. I was sure if there had been a couple more strides Paul would have gotten to me, but this big colt fought him off and we got the victory.”

Hagi, a 3-year-old son of Cams Card Shark-Iodine is trained by Therese Vrablic and now has seven wins in 18 starts for the Black Road Stable of Kitchener, Ontario.