Milton, ON — The full menu of Grand Circuit stakes action on Saturday (Aug. 27) at Woodbine Mohawk Park included the Nassagaweya and Eternal Camnation Stakes.

A Nassagaweya sweep

Rookie pacing colts owned by 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms captured both of the Nassagaweya Stakes divisions in impressive fashion.

The C$127,650 first division saw Captain Batboy and Tim Tetrick seize the early lead, and they sped by the opening quarter in :26.3. The heavy favorite, Save America, took over just past that point and hit the half in a sensible :56.1 for Yannick Gingras.

Save America picked up the pace through the next quarter and paced by the three-quarters in 1:24.3. From there, he could not be caught down the stretch, hitting the wire in 1:51.4. Captain Batboy stayed tight on the cones to take second while Ontario-sired Write Me A Rose was third for Sylvain Filion.

It was the second win in just three starts this year for Save America, who is owned by 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms. The Nassagaweya marked his first start since his impressive 1:49.4 victory in the Kindergarten Classic on Aug. 4 at the Meadowlands, but trainer Nancy Takter wasn’t too concerned about the time between races.

“He had a little time off before the Kindergarten, too, so I had that in the back of my mind that he would be okay. I trained him about 10 days ago, a mile in [1]:55 at the farm, and he was very good. He had a lot of foundation and conditioning so I wasn’t super concerned. Obviously race speed and training speed are different, but he did well tonight.

“He’s a very honest colt; he always gives everything he has. He’s a professional and I’m happy with him,” she said of the colt, who will remain in Ontario for the next few weeks to compete in the Champlain and Metro.

Saturday’s effort put Save America’s purse earnings over C$76,000 on the year. The son of Captaintreacherous was bred by Fred Hertrich and sold for $300,000 at last year’s Harrisburg sale.

In the C$128,650 second division, Ace Of Aces grabbed early control for James MacDonald. That pair were by the opener in :27.2, and just past that point, pocket sitter and favorite Huntinthelastdolar took over. Before the :56.3 halfway point, Tickertape Hanover flew up quickly for Dexter Dunn to grab the first position.

That quick colt flew by the three-quarters in 1:24 and pulled away from his rivals down the stretch to win in 1:51.2. Ace Of Aces was second, followed by Stormalong and Huntinthelastdolar.

Tickertape Hanover completed an owning sweep for 3 Brothers Stables and Caviart Farms in the Nassagaweya, for rookie male pacers, with a 1:51.2 win.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Tickertape Hanover was a $160,000 purchase at Harrisburg by 3 Brothers and Caviart. Saturday’s effort was an impressive maiden-breaking performance for the son of Huntsville, who made his fifth official start for trainer Linda Toscano.

“Quick shout out to Scotty (regular driver Scott Zeron) – (Tickertape’s) a beautiful colt. If you look at him physically, he’s very strong. When you sit behind him, he gives you that feeling of power,“ noted Dunn, who was obviously pleased with the trip. “I was pretty happy where I was, I took a shot and made a move. He’s the type of colt that, once I got him rolling in top gear, he carried it a long way.”

“He was a big, growthy colt. It took a little longer to get him going, but he did everything I asked him to do,” explained Toscano. “Scotty laid a great foundation and I’m glad to break his maiden. I’ve been under no pressure whatsoever by the owners; they’re thinking toward the end of the year and he’s come into it perfectly. I’m going to take him home tomorrow and bring him back for the Metro.”

Big efforts in Eternal Camnation splits

The Eternal Camnation Stakes, for 2-year-old pacing fillies, saw a pair of divisions contested.

Bankers Luck and driver Doug McNair rallied from a third-over position to win the C$118,150 first division in 1:52.1. The Tony Alagna trainee had been forwardly placed in her prior starts, but made things work with the off-the-pace trip for her third win in six starts.

Treacherous Penny moved to the lead in the second quarter and posted panels solid panels of :55.3 and 1:23.1 to bring the field into the stretch. The leader couldn’t hang on and dropped back to finish third. Bankers Luck powered by all rivals for the score, while Windsun Tiara also finished up well to grab second, beat just a neck.

A daughter of He’s Watching, Bankers Luck has now earned $115,748 for owner-breeder Brittany Farms.

A $2 win ticket on Bankers Luck returned $6.80.

Sylvia Hanover edged a game Caviart Davia in a thrilling finish to the C$117,150 second division.

Driven by Bob McClure, Sylvia Hanover got away fourth and marched first-up on the final turn. Tony Alagna trainees Bellisima Hanover and Caviart Davia exchanged the lead around the half, which popped up in :55.2. Caviart Davia led down to three-quarters in 1:23.1.

In the stretch, Sylvia Hanover overtook the leader, but Caviart Davia gave her a fight. The fillies battled down to the wire with Sylvia Hanover winning by a head in 1:50.4. Bellisima Hanover finished third.

Sylvia Hanover took top honors in the Eternal Camnation with a narrow 1:50.4 score over Caviart Davia. New Image Media photos.

A daughter of Always B Miki, Sylvia Hanover is now three-for-four for owners Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc. The Steacy trainee was a $135,000 purchase at last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.

Sylvia Hanover and her connections will now be looking ahead at the remaining Grand Circuit events at Mohawk Park, including the rich Shes A Great Lady.

A $2 win ticket on Sylvia Hanover returned $3.10.

Live racing resumes Monday evening (Aug. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7 p.m.