A week after trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer doubled up in the John Brennan Trotting Series, driver George Brennan pulled off the same feat in Wednesday's (April 13) second round of the event at Yonkers Raceway.
Hat Trick Marleau improved to two-for-two in the series with a 1:55.1 tally in the first $25,000 split.
Away third, Hat Trick Marleau moved out of that position before the :28.2 opening quarter and took over the lead past that station. It was all Hat Trick Marleau from there, as he was unchallenged through a 58.1 half and a 1:26.4 three-quarters on his way to a 3-3/4 length decision over Tranquility K. Top Me Off improved from last early on to third at the wire.
Ricky Bucci owns and trains Hat Trick Marleau, a six-year-old gelded son of Crazed. Hat Trick Marleau made his 16th appearance in the winner's circle, has now earned $161,981, and paid $2.30 to win as the 1-9 favourite. He was atop a $19.40 exacta and a $93 trifecta.
Brennan and B Nicking then knocked off favourites Seventier and Jula Muscle Pack in the second section.
Seventier shot to the lead from post 1, but Gingras left with Jula Muscle Pack from the outside post seven and was able to work his way to the point past a :27.2 opening quarter. Gingras then backed the tempo to :57.3 at the half and 1:26.1 at three-quarters with B Nicking wheeling out first-over from third before three-quarters. Jula Muscle Pack was able to keep the top spot around the last turn, but B Nicking forged his way by early in the stretch drive. From there, B Nicking had to hold off a rallying Seventier, who had space to angle out in the lane, and B Nicking was able to hold sway by a head in a 1:55.1 mile. Jula Muscle Pack had to settle for third.
B Nicking, a five-year-old Wishing Stone gelding, is trained by Cad Gregory for owner-breeder Ben Robards. B Nicking has compiled a record of 9-6-5 from 31 starts, and he has now put away $110,421. A 9-2 offering, B Nicking returned $11.80 to win and keyed a $25.60 exacta and a $66 trifecta.
Toccoa Falls also remained undefeated in the John Brennan Trotting Series after bagging the third flight in 1:56.
Credit Con and Lady Ann NO gunned out from posts five and six, respectively, and duked for early command, with Lady Ann NO pressing on two-wide to get to the engine. Toccoa Falls watched that transpire from fourth, but Gingras brought him to the outside prior to the :28.3 quarter and hit the front beyond that marker.
After he seized the lead, Toccoa Falls would go on to reach the half in just :58.3 and the three-quarters in a well-rated 1:27.3. That set up a sprint to the wire, and although Lady Ann NO had room to tip out on the last turn and came with a good rally, it wasn't enough, as Toccoa Falls kept her at bay by a head. Credit Con ended up third.
Per Engblom trains Toccoa Falls, a five-year-old gelding by Trixton, for owners Evan Katz and Frank Canzone. Toccoa Falls is now an eight-time winner from 50 trips behind the gate, and he has now banked $141,168. Toccoa Falls, dispatched as the 1-5 favourite, paid $2.70 to win. The exacta was worth $7.00 and the trifecta kicked back $34.80. Yannick Gingras piloted the winner.
Emotions Riches improved from third in his division of the first leg of the event to a dominant 1:56 decision in the second-round finale.
After second and third choices Sevenshadesofgrey and Striking Genson made breaks on the first turn, Emotions Riches was able to get away third from post 5. Driver Jordan Stratton then came to the outside with his charge and moved him around leader Blake Space AS past the :29.1 opening quarter.
Emotions Riches put the half up in :58 and then went a :28 third quarter to put a gap on the field. There was no catching him from there, as Emotions Riches reported home a 2-1/2-length winner. Golden Genes came in second, and Striking Genson recovered from his break to collect third.
The victorious four-year-old gelded son of Wheeling N Dealin is trained by Dennis Laterza for owners Latz A Luck Stable, Winners Circle Racing LLC., and John Campagnuolo. Emotions Riches scored his ninth victory, and he has now pocketed $126,775. Sent off as the 3-5 choice, Emotions Riches returned $3.50 to win and led a $27.60 exacta and a $69.50 trifecta.
There is one more preliminary round remaining in the John Brennan Trotting Series next Wednesday (April 20). The final and consolation will then take place on April 27.
Stakes action continues at Yonkers on Friday (April 15) and Monday (April 18) with the fifth and final legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series and MGM Borgata Pacing Series. There are three $40,000 divisions of the Blue Chip Matchmaker (Races 4, 6 and 8) on Friday (April 15), and a trio of $50,000 splits of the MGM Borgata (also Races 4, 6 and 8) on Monday (April 18).
Yonkers is operating on a Monday-Friday live racing schedule with post time at 6:55 p.m. (EDT).
(Yonkers Raceway)