Crushing victory in second Canadian Pacing Derby elim

Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside) dominated his top harness racing rivals in the second $50,000 Canadian Pacing Derby elimination on Saturday (Aug. 26) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The gelding had a front-row seat to a three-pronged speed duel entering the first turn, and Yannick Gingras held him patiently on the pylons while battling leaders set fractions of :25.3 and :53.3.

Bythemissal took off from fourth as they banked into the last turn, and he rolled to the front with ease. He became the leader at three-quarters in 1:21.3 and left the rest behind, powering to an eight-length victory in 1:47.3.

Lous Pearlman (Dave Miller) and Fourever Boy (James MacDonald) produced late pace to get up for second and third, respectively.

“That’s as easy as I’ve ever went in (1:)47, I can promise you that,” Yannick Gingras said after the race. “I had a handful of pace finishing and that was very impressive. And he’s fresh too – he only has four, five, six starts and he’s ready to go now. I’m looking forward to next week, that’s for sure.”

BYTHEMISSAL REPLAY

Bythemissal, the 2022 Little Brown Jug champion, will aim to add a major trophy to his already-strong four-year-old year in next week’s final. He is currently six-for-seven in 2023, including wins in the Sam McKee Memorial and President’s Pace in his past three. The Ron Burke-conditioned gelding has won 20 of his 24 lifetime appearances and has earned $1,402,209.

Tattoo Artist (Hes Watching) uncorked a monster rally to beat elite free-for-allers in the $50,000 second elimination.

The former Ontario Sires Stakes champion followed stagnant cover from the half into the final turn and was still six lengths back entering the stretch. Leader Linedrive Hanover (MacDonald) kicked away by three-and-a-half lengths halfway home, but Linedrive Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) unfurled his wings and flew home to catch him by a neck in 1:48.3. Hellabalou (Gingras) finished third from the pocket.

“I tipped mine off the helmet (and) he went forward,” said Roy post-race. “But I was like ‘I’m never going to catch (James MacDonald and Linedrive Hanover).’ And then I just touched my horse a little bit and he just went like he was going off the gate like a hundred, and I was like ‘you know what, we might have a shot.’ Then he just did the job by himself.”

TATTOO ARTIST REPLAY

Tattoo Artist passed $2.5 million in earnings with the win. His tally is now $2,524,108 through 87 starts. He’s taking his third shot at the Canadian Pacing Derby this year; he missed the final in 2021 and was second-best to Bulldog Hanover in last year’s edition. Ian Moore has taken over the six-year-old’s training while he’s in Canada and will be aiming to add a 33rd lifetime win in next week’s final for owners Let It Ride Stables, Frank Cannon, Diamond Creek Racing, and Bottom Line Racing.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink