Minor Obsession, Smart As Hill victorious in rookie series
August 16, 2018,by Mark McKelvie, Woodbine communications
Milton, ON — The Pure Ivory and Define The World Series resumed Thursday evening (Aug. 16) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The second leg of each event saw a single C$14,000 division with six competitors. The Pure Ivory for fillies did not feature round one winner Dark As A Pocket, while Smart As Hill was attempting to repeat his first-leg score.
Minor Obsession broke maiden in Pure Ivory Series action at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Mark Steacy trainee Minor Obsession was a front-end winner in her Pure Ivory Series debut.
Driver James MacDonald floated the daughter of Muscle Mass away before trotting on to secure the front entering the first turn. Minor Obsession hung up fractions of :29.4, 1:02.1 and 1:32.2 before stepping home in :28 for a 2:00.2 victory. Grimmie Hanover finished 1-1/4 lengths back in second, while Angel For Life was third.
A $17,500 Goshen Yearling Sale purchase, Minor Obsession picked up her first career victory in her third start. The Steacy trainee finished second in her debut on July 26 at Woodbine Mohawk Park before finishing sixth in a New York Sire Stakes leg on Aug. 3 at Tioga Downs.
Minor Obsession pushed her earnings to C$10,500 for owners Mark Steacy and Salt Hill Farm Limited. She paid $5.10 to win.
New Image Media photos
Smart As Hill vaulted from the pocket to take the second round of the Define The World series.
Smart As Hill may have won the first leg of the Define The World, but the Mike Keeling trainee didn’t receive much respect at the windows and went off at odds of 10-1.
Royal Rob entered Thursday’s second leg undefeated in two starts, which included an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division score. The Bob McIntosh trainee was the talk of the tote board at 1-5, but unfortunately for his connections made a break after the start.
Steuben Hanover, who got nailed at the wire by Smart As Hill in round one, went off as the 3-1 second choice. The Luc Blais trainee made a break at three-quarters when moving on the outside from fourth. Meanwhile, Smart As Hill and driver Roger Mayotte enjoyed a perfect two-hole trip behind Cesar Duharas, who posted fractions of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4.
Mayotte angled Smart As Hill from the two-hole just before three-quarters and proceeded to trot by the leader and go on to a 1:59 victory. Blazing Trail finished a length back in second, while Cesar Duharas was third.
A son of Muscle Hill, Smart As Hill improved to two-for-four with his second-leg score and will now have an opportunity at a series sweep. The Keeling trainee was a $70,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase.
Smart As Hill has earned C$19,180 for owners Dreamville Stable and Harbor Racing Stable LLC. He paid $23.30 to win.
The finals of the Pure Ivory and Define The World will take place next Thursday (Aug. 23).
Live racing continues Friday evening (Aug. 17) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.