by Bruce Murray, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — In just eight days, Hez Striking has fit right in among the top trotters that compete on a weekly basis at Mohawk Racetrack.

For the second time in as many starts, the five-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding separated himself from the field in the C$48,000 Junior Free For All event, but this time it was a track record equaling mile of 1:53¹. Driven by Paul MacDonell for owners Bart Glass and Robert Kaufman, Hez Striking was in control from the half-way mark on en route to his sixth straight win and seventh in nine starts this year. True Story made a late rally to overtake early pacesetter Cosington for second.

“I didn’t know much about him (before last week), but his lines showed he was a pretty talented horse,” said MacDonell of the Brett Pelling pupil. “Last week, I was really impressed with him because the track was off, so tonight I figured he’d be even better. Right now, I’d have to say he’s one of the better (trotters) in North America. He was trotting easy.”

After winning three of ten starts and earning just $12,230 in an abbreviated 2003 campaign, Hez Striking boosted this season’s bankroll to $87,175.

Switching gaits, Eternal Camnation made her 2004 Canadian debut in the $48,000 Fillies and Mares Open. Though the sport’s pacing queen was caught deep in the stretch by a resilient Sure Sign, Eternal Camnation’s second place effort served notice that she will be tough to contend with in the coming weeks as the Classic Series leg and final approach at Mohawk.

“I was very happy with her,” said Luc Ouellette, who catch-drove the triple-millionaire for trainer Jeff Miller in regular pilot Eric Ledford’s absence. “She always takes a few starts to hit her best. The horse that beat her went some kind of trip. Sure Sign was real good early last year. I raced against her with Armbro Amoretto and I thought she was the horse to beat some nights.”

Sure Sign, in rein to Paul MacDonell, was surely full marks for the victory after taking the first-over route. The four year-old daughter of Life Sign stopped the teletimer in a career best 1:51 for her 20th lifetime win. She is trained by co-owner Charles Connor for partners John Fodera, Martha Frank and Ted Gewertz.

Note: Serious Comfort, Canada’s 2003 two-year-old pacing filly of the year, made her sophomore debut in the ninth race where she finished fifth, one and a quarter lengths behind winner Refiners Gold in 1:53³.