by Greg Gangle – WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — A pair of divisions of the Casual Breeze squared off tonight at Mohawk Racetrack with Crys Dream and Lukes Sophie taking top honors.

In the first elimination, after a recall, Lukes Sophie cleared past a :28.3 opening panel for driver Jody Jamieson and never looked back to stop the timer in 1:54.

At the half-way point in :57.4, Lukes Sophie was in a comfortable lead with Surveillance (Randy Waples) in the pocket and Lady Rainbow (Rick Zeron) tracking her.

Post time favorite, Beatgoeson Hanover (Scott Zeron) angled to the outside from fourth going into the final turn, which flushed the cover of Lady Rainbow.

As Lukes Sophie took her rivals past three-quarters in 1:26.1, Lady Rainbow was stalking on the outside, one-length off the lead. In deep stretch, Jamieson asked his charge for more trot and the daughter of Here Comes Herbie propelled to a one-length victory for trainer Carl Jamieson. Beatgoeson Hanover edged out Lady Rainbow in the final strides with Magic Wheel (Karen Hanover) fourth.

Fresh off capturing an OSS Gold final one week ago at Western Fair Raceway, Lukes Sophie lifted her lifetime earnings to C$167,192 for Carl and partner Thomas Kyron.

“On the racetrack, she’s a professional. Sometimes she’s a little funny in the paddock and winners circle,” Jody commented following the win. “I wasn’t sure how tough she would be on the front end, but she surprised me a little.

“You never want to see a recall in a race, but my filly handled it well. When a few of them (horses) made a break leaving the gate, it made it that much easier for my filly to make the front.”

New Image Media

Crys Dream, Canada’s 2-year-old trotting filly of the year, remained unbeaten in her last eight starts in the 2nd division of the Casual Breeze.

Once again, Crys Dream and Luc Ouellete found their way to the winners circle in the second division. After being named Canada’s 2-year-old trotting filly of the year, the daughter of Tauras Dream extended her unbeaten streak to eight for trainer Henrik Hollsten.

Oh Sweet Baby (Mario Baillargeon) marched to the lead from the start to lead her 10 rivals past the opening panel in :28.3. Zorgwijk Locket (Sylvain Filion) was well positioned in second, ahead of Peach Martini (Rick Zeron).

As the field headed towards the half, Zeron angled Peach Martini to the outside from third and took over command, but that would not last long as Crys Dream marched around her at the half in :58.1.

Crys Dream would continue to lead her rivals into the far turn as Eagle Canada began the first-over attack from fifth as the tempo setter posted three-quarters in 1:27.

Heading for home, Ouellette and Crys Dream were on a comfortable hand drive as they accelerated away from their rivals. The battle was for place, as Crys Dream coasted to a five-length score in 1:55.3. Eagle Canada remained second over Peach Martini.

“Thankfully there were no challengers, so we didn’t have to race her hard tonight,” Ouellette said following the win. “We didn’t take anything out of her tonight, so that should pay off.”

Crys Dream now has lifetime earnings of $651,955 and nine career victories for Deo Volente Farm, TLP Stables, Jerry Silva and Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme.

Several of the fillies from tonight’s Casual Breeze divisions will return to Mohawk in seven days to contest the Elegantimage eliminations on Friday, June 10.

The Casie Coleman-trained Idyllic captured the C$25,000 3-year-old filly pace tonight at Mohawk in her sophomore debut.

Itstimeformetofly (Jack Moiseyev) was fastest off the gate, leading the field into the turn. David Miller then pulled Idyllic from the pocket and cleared the lead before the quarter in :27.3. The pair remained the leader through the middle half in :55.2 and 1:22.4.

Into the final turn, Tea Party Princess (Mario Baillargeon) came first-over from third and tried to apply pressure to the 3-5 favorite.

Down the stretch, Tea Party Princess and Strike An Attitude (Randy Waples) who caught Tea Party Princess’ cover, could not pass Idyllic, who won by a head in 1:51.1. Tea Party Princess finished second with Strike An Attitude third.

The brown filly has a lifetime record of 9-0-1 in 10 starts owners West Wins Stable of Cambridge, Michael and Joseph LaCova of West Islip, New York and John Campagnuolo of Loxahatchee, Florida.

The daughter of American Ideal-Magical Dreamer paid $3.20 to win.

Several of the fillies from tonight’s condition pace will return to Mohawk after an eight days rest to contest the Fan Hanover eliminations on Saturday, June 11.