Debut win for son of Emoticon Hanover

Emoticon Legacy (Walner-Emoticon Hanover), a half-brother to Peaceful Way champion Drawn Impression, won his harness racing debut in the opening leg of the Millard Farms for two-year-old trotting males on Thursday (Jul. 18) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The colt initially landed third, sliding in just before the quarter in :29, but inherited the pocket from a breaker and closed down leader Go Ahead Makemyday (Sylvain Filion) on the backstretch. Louis-Philippe Roy kept the pocket-sitter on the pylons to the half in :59.1 and through three-quarters in 1:27.3 as the top two separated from the rest.

Emoticon Legacy crept up on Go Ahead Makemyday down the stretch until the latter ran out of gas in the final eighth. Louis-Philippe Roy let Emoticon Legacy loose, and the colt swept by the pacestter and soared four-and-a-half lengths clear for the victory in 1:55.3.

Go Ahead Makemyday was never in danger of losing place. Alimony Mike (Tyler Jones) finished third.

EMOTICON LEGACY REPLAY

Emoticon Legacy, a Determination homebred, won her last qualifier in 1:59 before her debut on Thursday. Luc Blais trains the second offspring of Emoticon Hanover, a double-millionaire and two-time Breeders Crown champion. Her first foal, Drawn Impression won last year’s Peaceful Way Stakes and was nominated for an O’Brien Award.

Extended Session kicked off the first-leg sweep for Walner as he won the other split in impressive fashion. The Matt Bax-trained rookie brushed to the front for James MacDonald, taking over just before the half, and drew away by five-and-a-half lengths down the lane to win in 1:56.3.

Hey Dude (Jody Jamieson) was best of the rest, followed by Eurobank Hanover (Bob McClure).

EXTENDED SESSION REPLAY

Extended Session is out of the triple-millionare-producing Pine Chip mare Moms Millionaire. Al Libfeld of Pickering and Bax Stable of Campbellville shelled out $220,000 to bring the colt home from the Lexington Select sale. He debuted with a victory on Jun. 28 and is now two-for-two with $18,000 in earnings.

Also on the card was the sister stake, the Pure Ivory, for two-year-old trotting fillies.

Southwind Milk (Walner) remained perfect in the first division as she marched first-up, took over in late-stretch, and fended off Clarissa W (McClure) for the 1:57 victory. Clarissa W missed by a head. Lasting Dream (Roy) was third.

SOUTHWIND MILK REPLAY

Bax trains and drives Southwind Milk, who won her conditioned debut on Jul. 5 in 1:56.4. Bax Stable co-owns the $50,000 Lexington Select buy with Big Als Stables of Woodbridge and Neil Miller of Dollard-Des-Ormeaux. She is the second foal from Mimispearloflindy.

Beersnsunshine Deo (Six Pack, Tyler Borth) had no trouble in the second split, leading from start to finish and stopping the clock in 1:57.1 on a four-and-a-quarter-length score. Lil Sweet (Doug McNair) came home second on the far outside after drifting down the lane. Highlandstarburst (McClure) completed the ticket.

BEERSNSUNSHINE DEO REPLAY

The winner is now one-for-two for trainer Susanne Kerwood. The $12,000 Lexington purchase finished second in her career bow on Jul. 2 and successfully qualified once more on Jul.12 before Thursday’s win. S&R Racing Stable, Ken Baker, Martin Leveillee, and Gestions JF Goyette share ownership of the two-year-old.

The night of racing also included the second Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots leg for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The four division winners were:

• Merrow (Stag Party, Sylvain Filion) by a half-length in 1:54.1 for trainer Don Lindsey. Tito N Cheddar (Roy) second, Wicked Weston (McClure) third.
• Crack Shot (Bettors Delight, McNair) by a nose in 1:54.3 for trainer Gregg McNair. Sunsational (Filion) second, Zander (McClure) third.
• Tip Of Time (Shadow Play, Travis Cullen) by two lengths in 1:54.2 for trainer Dr. Ian Moore. Parlay King (Doug McNair) second, Lmc Peanuts Watchn (Pat Hudon) third.
• Blue Bar (All Bets Off, Cullen) by five-and-a-half lengths in 1:52.3 for trainer Jodie Cullen. Sauble Wilson (McClure) second, Boyd Bay (Roy) third.

Racing will continue at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, Jul. 19 with more Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots action as sophomore pacing males will battle in their third leg. First post is set for 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink