by Ashley Mayotte – WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — Win Missy B, confidently handled by Trevor Ritchie, blazed her way to a track, stakes and Canadian record of 1:53.3 in winning the C$447,000 Peaceful Way Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.
The time eclipsed the former record of 1:54.2, set four years ago by Snow White.
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Win Missy B set a track, stakes and Canadian record in winning the Peaceful Way Stakes Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.
Taking over after an opening quarter in 27 seconds flat, Win Missy B glided to the half in :55.4, then opened up on the field as she reached the three-quarters in 1:24.3.
But the race wasn’t quite over, as favored Check Me Out, who had suffered her first defeat in nine outings last week to Win Missy B in one of the elims, took dead aim on the pacesetter.
Despite leaving from post 10, she still managed to put in a charge which fell a one and one-quarter lengths short, as Win Missy B, a daughter of Conway Hall-Winning Missbrenda trained by Charlie Norris for owner Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, won her fifth race in eight starts.
Miss Paris wound up third, almost five lengths further back.
The victory was an appropriate one for Ritchie, who drove Peaceful Way for much of her illustrious career, when, as one of Canada’s best ever trotters, she earned over $3.2 million, highlighted by a victory over males in the Maple Leaf Trot.
“She really was (fired up),” said Ritchie. “I really don’t know what happened because last week she was just like a kitten to drive. She left out of there nice and relaxed. But tonight she was sure fired up from the time the word ‘go’ was given. When I saw the half (mile time), I was sick to my stomach almost but there wasn’t much I could do about it. She was kind of taking charge of me. So, once I saw the half, I said, well, I’ve likely blown it now so we might as well just keep rolling.
“You never know. When you try to shut one of these green ones down in the third quarter and try to get them to go again, sometimes it’s tough to do. It’s a record mile so obviously it’s a powerful performance.”
The Peaceful Way attracted a field of 10, with Check Me Out going postward as the 8-5 choice, while Win Missy B was the 2-1 second choice. Superstar Hanover, winner of her elim last week and the 5-2 third choice, made a break shortly after the first quarter and came home sixth.
The victory was worth $223,500 as Win Missy B pushed her bankroll to just over $310,000. She paid $6.50, $3.40 and $2.60, combining with Check Me Out ($3.20, $2.90) for a $21.10 (4-10) exactor. A 4-10-6 (Miss Paris, $4.30) triactor came back $97.20.
Moiseyev had a successful ‘Game Plan’
Not only did driver Jack Moiseyev capture the C$1 million Canadian Trotting Classic Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack, the Hall of Fame driver held on to win the C$469,000 William Wellwood Memorial Trot with The Game Plan.
Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, American Gangster (Brian Sears), who set a track record in his elimination last week, broke stride behind the starting gate. Money On The Mind (Andy Miller) took the early lead, clocking the opening panel in :27.3.
Moiseyev tipped the John Kopas trainee off the rail and launched a first-over attack from third to take command before the half in :56.3. The duo couldn’t be touched as they cut the three quarters in 1:26.
The 7-2 second choice, held on to score the victory by a head in 1:55.2. Money On My Mind finished second with Little Brown Fox (Ron Pierce) rounding out the triactor.
“I knew I had a nice colt,” said Kopas, following the win. “I didn’t know he was this kind of a colt so it’s been a wonderful surprise.”
The conditioner was confident that The Game Plan, who captured his elimination last week, was going to find the winner’s circle with the veteran driver in the sulky.
“I wasn’t anxious at all I knew Jack would pull it off,” said Kopas. “He has done that for a lot of people over the years. He’s probably one of the greatest drivers to have ever lived and he’s probably one of the best friends I’ll ever have. I met Jack probably way back in 1982. He and I were bumping around the New Year Sire Stakes and he had a lot of talent then and it’s proven out.”
The victory gave Kopas a training double while Moiseyev notched his third victory of the night.
The son of Kadabra-Image Control has a lifetime record of 6-1-1 in nine starts and with the lion’s share of the purse the gelding now boasts $400,300 in career earnings for Kopas, LLK Stable, Gary Grieve and Anthony Wagner.