A pair of fillies by Badlands Hanover and another filly out of a mare by Badlands Hanover found themselves in the spotlight at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday thanks to impressive victories in their respective $40,000 OSS Gold Series eliminations.
Its No Secret (Badlands Hanover-Secret Departure) went to the front and didn’t look back en route to a 1:54.3 in the first elimination. Anthony MacDonald rushed her to the lead and she proceeded to set splits of :28, :57.4 and 1:26.2 before using a :28.1 closing quarter to win by 2-1/4 lengths over the 3-5 favourite Adventurepan. Snowbird took home the show dough.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering, Its No Secret is now 2-for-2 for Shawn Robinson, who trains the homebred for Bob Hamather of Exeter, ON. She has banked $29,000 to date.
Love Canal (Badlands Hanover-A Votre Pante) overcame traffic troubles and interference to take the second elimination in an eye-catching clocking of 1:53.3 for driver Jody Jamieson. The first-time starter was next-to-last at the mid-way point, but she tracked cover to the head of the lane before weaving through rivals to win by half a length over Seaside Rory. Third prize in the speedy affair went to Burlesque.
Tony O’Sullivan trains the homebred lass for Let It Ride Stables Inc and Robert Cooper Stables LLC of Boca Raton, FL.
Kims Royal Day (Royal Mattjesty-Kims Caper) rallied for a 1:55.2 triumph in the third elimination, and she did so as a 35-1 outsider. James MacDonald guided the strapping filly to the off-the-pace upset over the 1-2 favourite, Raise Your Glass. Nitrous Force and Burstin Bubbles finished in a dead-heat for third.
Blake MacIntosh of Cambridge, ON owns and trains the first-time starter, who was purchased for a mere $1,500 from last fall’s Canadian Yearling Sale.
Here's the post position draw for the July 6 final:
$130,000 OSS GOLD SERIES FINAL
1. Burlesque
2. Kims Royal Day
3. Raise Your Glass
4. Nitrous Force
5. Love Canal
6. Snowbird
7. Seaside Rory
8. Burstin Bubbles
9. Its No Secret
10. Adventurepan
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.