by Greg Blanchard. WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — The long awaited return of Nebupanezzar to the racetrack took place on Friday morning (August 14) at Mohawk Racetrack and the 3-year-old gelding emerged victorious in his first qualifier of the season in 1:53.2.

Nebupanezzar won 10 times in 14 starts as a juvenile, earning $946,365. He raced exclusively in Canada, with his biggest victories coming in the $647,800 Governor’s Cup final and the $246,000 Ontario Sire Stakes Super Final. He also picked up the second place check in the $950,000 Metro Pace Final.

The son of No Pan Intended-Western Wonder has not seen action since winning the Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final last November at Woodbine Racetrack. It was part of an O’Brien Award winning season for trainer Bob McIntosh and owner Peter Pan Stables.

A tendon injury has kept Nebupanezzar on the sidelines this season and McIntosh has taken his time in getting the colt back to the races.

In the same qualifying race, Artimittateslife, a champion 3-year-old filly from last season, was also making her first appearance since last November’s Breeders Crown eliminations for trainer-driver Bob Young.

Nebupanezzar sat third through the opening half, as first Mr Terror and then Artimittateslife posted the fractions of :28.3 and :57.1. Nebupanezzar brushed to the lead heading to the three-quarter pole and was on top by 2-1/2 lengths at that marker in 1:25.3. He then paced a final quarter in :27.4 and posted a 5-1/2 length victory over Mr Terror in 1:53.2, with Artimittateslife finishing third.

According to driver Steve Condren, the initial effort for Nebupanezzar was solid.

“I was happy with him,” he said. “He sat in well and they were going enough up front. When I called on him, he was handy and got down the lane pretty good. I guess he had trained well a couple of times so he was up to that kind of mile today.

“He seemed good as far as soundness. Hopefully, he will progress off of this.”

McIntosh also sent out the talented rookie pacing filly Panagler during the morning session and the daughter of No Pan Intended-Panipulator was victorious for Condren in 1:56.4.

Other qualifying winners on Friday morning included No Gus No Glory (1:55.2), Rap N Banker (2:03), Digam (1:57.3), Jewelcrest (2:01.3), Clown’s Smile (1:52.2) and Xtra Perfect (1:56.1).