International Moni takes Simcoe Stakes
September 2, 2017,by Mark McKelvie, for WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — The regally-bred International Moni showed his grit to win Saturday’s (Sept. 2) C$165,838 Simcoe Stakes for sophomore trotters at Mohawk Racetrack. A field of 12 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings competed in the annual Grand Circuit event.
International Moni, a son of Love You-Moni Maker, was made the 3-5 favorite and lived up to the hype. The Frank Antonacci trainee and driver Scott Zeron got away fifth in the early going, while R First Class pocket-pulled and secured the lead heading to the half.
R First Class posted a half of :57.1 and led into the far turn, while International Moni came first up and grinded his way up to the leader at three-quarters in 1:26. The stretch drive was a duel between R First Class and International Moni, as neither wanted to give in. At the wire, International Moni prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3. Magic Night finished third, while Dunbar Hall was fourth.
“Heading into the first turn I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Zeron post race. “We had a lot of us heading into there, so I just protected my position, was able to control when I came first up with him and he had to work today coming first up and coming home in :27.3, it was big.”
Owned and bred by Moni Maker Stable, International Moni is now five for seven this season to bring his career totals to six wins and over C$500,000 earned. The Lindy Farms star will now prepare for next Saturday’s Canadian Trotting Classic eliminations.
International Moni paid $3.20 to win.
- Champlain Stakes begin Thursday at Mohawk Racetrack (Monday, August 28, 2017)
Rookie trotting fillies will be in the spotlight Thursday evening (August 31) to kick off Grand Circuit week at Mohawk Racetrack. The $173,880 Champlain Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies has attracted 18 entrants, who have been split into two nine-horse divisions.
- Canadian Pacing Derby heads stakes-rich Mohawk Saturday card (Tuesday, August 29, 2017)
A loaded 12-race card, featuring the C$615,000 Canadian Pacing Derby, has been assembled for Saturday evening (Sept. 2) at Mohawk Racetrack. The Champlain, Simcoe and Ontario Sire Stakes Gold make up the ‘Pacing Derby’ undercard. Over $1.4 million in purses will be up for grabs.
- Yonkers Trot and Messenger lead busy Grand Circuit weekend (Wednesday, August 30, 2017)
A busy holiday weekend of Grand Circuit action is led by a pair of Triple Crown events at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday (Sept. 2). The Hilltop oval will host the $500,000 Yonkers Trot for 3-year-old trotters and the $500,000 Messenger Stakes for 3-year-old pacers.
- Ariana G cruises in Mohawk Grand Circuit action (Friday, September 01, 2017)
Grand Circuit week continued Friday (Sept. 1) at Mohawk Racetrack with the Simcoe Stakes for sophomore trotting fillies and the Champlain Stakes for 2-year-old trotters. The Simcoe Stakes featured a field of 11 competing for C$166,872, while two C$93,880 divisions were required for the Champlain. Ariana G, You Know You Do and Night Rhythm won their respective contests.
- Sintra soars to Canadian Pacing Derby win (Saturday, September 02, 2017)
Four-year-old gelding Sintra and driver Jody Jaimeson rallied up the pylons to capture the C$615,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at odds of 12-1 Saturday evening (Sept. 2) at Mohawk Racetrack. The Dave Menary stable star unleashed a furious stretch rally to charge up the inside and nail Rockin Ron at the wire in 1:48.1 for driver Jamieson and trainer Gaetan Hebert.