A trio of Nassagaweya Stakes divisions featuring the continent's top freshman pacing colts marched into Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday evening. Speed Again, Special Blend and Hurrikane Kingcole all found the winner’s circle in their respective divisions
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I Fought Dalaw (Jack Moiseyev) tasted defeat for the first time in his career as Speed Again and driver Rick Zeron scored the mild 9-2 upset victory in the first $113,892 division.
Shakerattlenrock (Scott Zeron) led his six rivals past the opening station in :28.1 with Speed Again in the pocket and Terco Corazon (Mario Baillargeon) tracking him.
I Fought Dalaw angled out from fourth, cleared to the front and past the midway point in :56.2. Speed Again was guided off of the pylons and was within strides of the leader past three-quarters in 1:25.2.
I Fought Dalaw was given all he could handle down the stretch as Speed Again marched away from his rivals to score a one length victory in 1:52.3 for trainer and co-owner Jeff Gillis. Shakerattlenrock closed hard to finish second over Ideal Ike (Sylvain Filion) with I Fought Dalaw fading to fourth.
The son of Dragon Again-Sand Speed posted his third victory in five tries for co-owners Ken Henwood of Missisauga, Ont., Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont., and Gerald Stay of Buffalo, New York. He lifted his rookie earnings to $92,196, while paying $11.40 to win.
In the second $115,391 division, driver Keith Oliver guided Special Blend to the winner's circle for trainer Ben Wallace in 1:53.3.
Spinarama (Paul MacDonell) crossed over to command past the opening panel in :28. Special Blend used rail control to be spotted second, ahead of Redford Blue Chip (Rick Zeron).
The odds-on favourite, Ideal Champ (Jack Moiseyev), left the pylons in fourth and quickly brushed to the lead before the midway point in :57.2.
Best Ears (Scott Zeron) quickly made a first-over bid around the final turn, which allowed Oliver to angle Special Blend on his back past three-quarters in 1:25.2.
Down the stretch, Ideal Champ was overtaken by Best Ears, but Oliver showed his charge clear racetrack and the son of The Panderosa-Tallulah Belle responded to score his first lifetime win for owner Big Als Stable Inc. of Woodbridge, Ont. Best Ears held on for second over Ideal Champ.
Special Blend increased his rookie earnings to $68,692, while paying $14.70 to win.
In the final and fastest $115,391 division, Hurrikane Kingcole posted a gate-to-wire score for driver Luc Ouellette and trainer Des Tackoor.
The freshman son of Cams Card Shark-Blazing Yankee laid down fractions of :26.4, :56.2 and 1:23.2 before closing out the mile in an impressive 1:51.4 effort.
D Terminata (Randy Waples) came from well off-the-pace to finish second with State Treasurer (Paul MacDonell) finishing third after a first-over attack.
Hurrikane Kingcole increased is earnings to $85,191 for John Levy Racing Stable of Hamilton, Ont., Mitchell Cohen of roslyn Heights, New York, Jeffrey Kuhen of Yardley, Pennsylvania, and Hurrikane Racing LLC of Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
The victory is the fourth straight for Hurrikane Kingcole, who paid $3.80 to win as the bettor’s choice.
For recaps of tonight's Eternal Camnation Stakes divisions for pacing fillies, click here.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)