CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Ontario’s remarkably talented three-year-old trotting fillies impressed Mohawk Racetrack fans on Monday night when all three Gold Series Eliminations were clocked faster than 1:57. The award for fastest mile of the night went to Miss Michelle H, who crossed the wire in 1:55.4 to equal the Ontario Sires Stakes track record set in 1997 by the great Elegantimage.
Sent off as the fan favourite in Race 2, Miss Michelle H and trainer Rod Allen took control of the race just past the half and then cruised home to a two length victory over McCall Magic and Bliss.
“I stretched her out a little bit going to the half. I was concerned there, but she was well in hand coming home,” said Allen after the record-setting mile. “When Dad (Carl Allen) preps them in the wintertime they are ready to race.”
The Allen’s, who make their home in Ocala, FL, lease Miss Michelle H along with Joann and Joe Thomson of Phoenixville, PA. No stranger to Ontario Sires Stakes action, the talented young trotter earned $107,820 in six OSS starts last season.
Mohawk fans also pegged an OSS veteran to win the first elimination and Zorgwijk Emani obliged with an effortless wire-to-wire victory in 1:56.3. Kevin Wallis drives the Valleymeister daughter, a winner of $124,100 at two, and the Windsor resident was very pleased with Zorgwijk Emani’s first start of the season on Canadian soil.
“She got a little throat infection after she shipped north and I had planned on giving her a start before this race, but when that happened I wasn’t able to do that and I just had to train her,” explained Wallis, who makes his home in Florida during the winter months. “She’s very versatile. She has good, quick speed. She’s very athletic and just does everything right.”
Wallis and his wife Linda train Zorgwijk Emani for the Cuzzins Stable of Boca Raton, FL.
Fiesty Kindof Luv earned the runner-up’s share of the $35,121 purse, with Celias Counsel winner Armbro Beseech finishing hot on her heels in third. The final elimination saw second choice Sand Box Sammy out sprint heavy favourite Ifhallscouldtalk to score a 1:56.4 victory.
A newcomer to the provincial program, Sand Box Sammy had just two starts under her belt heading into Monday night’s contest and had made early breaks in both. A solid effort in a May 11 qualifier earned her a berth in the Gold Series and trainer Ed Hayter hopes the victory marks the start of better things to come for the flighty Wesgate Crown daughter.
“Well, she’s always had a lot of ability, but unfortunately her mental aspect of her game isn’t always there,” said Hayter. “She is really funny with her mouth and if you try to grab her up too hard she’ll put herself on the pace and eventually on the run.”
Hayter trains Sand Box Sammy for Neil Markowski of Toronto, Lisa Hayter of Flamborough, Stuart Weinman of Thornhill and Leisha Collins of Port Robinson. Veteran reinsman Bill O’Donnell, who was also in the race bike for the May 11 qualifier, engineered the victory over Angus Hall daughters Ifhallscouldtalk and Trophy Hall.
The top three finishers from each elimination, plus one fourth-place finisher drawn by lot (Northern Fuchsia, Incredible Iam or Icy Pleasure) will return to Mohawk Racetrack on Sunday, May 23 for their first $130,000 Gold Final. The three-year-old trotting fillies will share the spotlight on Sunday with the sophomore trotting colts, who are also headed to the Campbellville oval for a lucrative Gold Final.