The second preliminary leg of The Classic Series (TCS) was raced on last Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack. Normally a four race event, the Series was reduced to two, the Trotting Classic and Classic Oaks, as both the Pacing Classic and Classic Distaff fell short of the number of entries required to card the race.
Trotting Classic
The betting public didn't have much faith in Breeders' Crown champion, Arch Madness, sending him off at 17-1, but trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer proved his colt was no fluke as he captured the $84,116 Trotting Classic second leg Saturday night (May 31) at Mohawk in 1:54.3.
Smedshammer sent the 4-year-old gelded son of Balanced Image sharply to the front from post 9, assisted by early leader Man About Town breaking stride for Luc Ouellette and veering wide. 3-5 favourite, Corleone Kosmos, tucked into the pocket spot with John Campbell and Claudius Augustus got buffeted into third as Smedshammer took control of the fractions, trotting the first three-quarters of a mile in 28, 57.3, and 1:26.2.
As the horses entered the stretch it became an all-out sprint, with Arch Madness holding off Corleone Kosmos by a whisker to claim the win. San Remo Kosmos moved up for the show spot.
A judge's inquiry then revealed that in the final strides of the stretch drive, Corleone Kosmos had switched gaits from trot to pace, technically putting him in violation of the rule which requires horses on a break to continuously lose ground. The judge's decision moved Corleone Kosmos from second to third, with San Remo Kosmos being awarded the place purse.
Trotting Classic Oaks
In the $84,116 Classic Oaks for trotting fillies and mares, confusion reigned at the start as four mares rolled off-stride either behind the gate or shortly thereafter. Tickets were refunded on two, Speed N The Tunnel and Wishful Me, who were ruled not to have had a fair start.
Snazzy Millie and linesman Steve Condren took quick advantage of the melee and snatched the lead, with Freeze Frame tucking into second for driver-trainer Jim Raymer as they trotted through fractions of 27.1, 56.2, and 1:25.2. Another potential challenger, Susies Magic, also made a break in the second quarter to put herself out of the action. Thus it was a field of six, from the original 11, who headed into the stretch still in contention.
As Snazzy Millie began to flag, 22-1 shot, Up Front Hotsey, with trainer-driver Mike Vanderkemp, made a strong challenge on the outside and seized the win in 1:54.2. Brigham Dream rushed up for second, with Lavec Dream grabbing third.
Up Front Hotsey, a 5-year-old daughter of Sjs Caviar-Dixieland Jazz, is owned by Ed Mullinax and Frank Dettore, and paid $47.10, $13.60, and $10.20 for the win. This was her second victory in 2008.
The 3rd leg of The Classic Series will be Saturday, July 19, 2008 at The Meadowlands.