by Greg Gangle – WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — – Sent off at odds of 9-1, Panther Hanover, driven by Sylvain Filion, converted off a perfect, pocket trip to score the victory in the lone C$252,521 Simcoe Stakes division for sophomore pacing colts.

Michaels Power (Scott Zeron), the 6/5 favorite, gunned his way to the front to lead his 11 rivals through panels of :25.4, :53.2 and 1:21.4, before Filion angled Panther Hanover out of the pocket and overtook A Rocknroll Dance (Yannick Gingras) in deep stretch to score the 1:49.1 victory. A Rocknroll Dance stayed for second, over Michaels Power.

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Panther Hanover defeated A Rocknroll Dance and Michaels Power to win the lone Simcoe Stakes division for soph pacing colts.

“I wanted to get into position early and when I saw Scotty (Scott Zeron) leave, too, I was happy because I could get covered up by the favorite, but turning for home I was looking for room because my horse really wanted out,” Filion said. “He responded well. He’s such a nice horse.”

Trained by James ‘Friday’ Dean for owner Jim Carr, Panther Hanover increased his bankroll to $332,450. The son of Western Ideal has crafted a 6-1-0 record from eight starts this season. He paid $20.20 to win.

Also on the program, a pair of Champlain Stakes took place featuring rookie colts and fillies.

In the C$226,763 filly division, L Dees Lioness and Scott Zeron scored a narrow victory in 1:51.4.

Zeron guided the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-L Dees Val to command to lead her 10 rivals through moderate panels of :28.1, :56.4 and 1:24, before using a final 27.4 quarter to seal the victory. I Luv The Nitelife, who defeated L Dees Lioness in the Shes A Great Lady final in her most recent outing, finished second, beaten by a head. Nikki Beach (Tim Tetrick) finished third.

“I was slightly disappointed I lost the last race (Shes A Great Lady), it was a great stretch duel and she (I Luv The Nitelife) just outraced me that night,” Zeron said. “Tonight she stepped up and I’m happy she won.”

Trained by Casie Coleman for owners Lawrence Dumain and Carlo Lattinelli, L Dees Lioness increased her freshman earnings to $382,655. She paid $6.20 to win.

In the C$261,829 division for colts and geldings, Captive Audience, driven by Andy Miller, posted the 40-1 upset in 1:50.2.

The son of Art Major-Captiva Island led his ten rivals past the opening station in :27.2. As the youngsters marched towards the half, Rockin Amadeus (Yannick Gingras) angled out from third and took over command to lead past the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:22.2.

Turning for home, post time favorite, Odds On Equuleus (John Campbell) was second over, but Miller was able show his charge clear racetrack. Captive Audience wore down the tempo-setter to score the narrow win over Rockin Amadeus with Odds On Equulues third.

“He’s a nice horse with a lot of speed to him,” Miller said after the race. “He was great in the hole and was waiting for me to pull him. Once we made it to the front, he got sort of lost because he’s green, but overall he raced very well.”

Corey Johnson trains the first-time winner for his father, Colin, and Mac Nichol. The bay increased his rookie earnings to $163,789. He paid $90 to win.