Fashion Frenzie, Locatelli best in Goodtimes elims

Leaving from the outside at the start of the 3^rd race, Fashion Frenzie and driver Louis-Philippe Roy took no prisoners as they led from start to finish in capturing the first $30,000 elimination division of the Goodtimes Stake for three-year-old trotting colts at Mohawk Park Saturday.

With Logan Park (Jody Jamieson) sitting the pocket trip, Roy had it easy with Fashion Frenzie, going by the half mile marker in a pedestrian :58. Then in the backstretch, Dancinginthedark M (Tim Tetrick) came first-up with Colonial As It (Yannick Gingras) as they sped to the three-quarters in 1:26.2.

From there it was a walk in the park for Fashion Frenzie as they held the field at bay coming down the stretch, winning by one and one-half lengths in 1:53.2. Dancinginthedark M was second with Logan Park third. Ritson (James MacDonald) was fourth with On A Streak (Bob McClure) fifth.

For Fashion Frenzie, it was his second straight win and fourth triumph in eight starts for trainer Richard Moreau. The gelded son of Archangel is co-owned by the Francis Richard Stable, Mario Bourgea, Pierre Guillemette and Sylvain Richard, all of Quebec. He paid $5.80 to win.

“After the first half in :58,” Roy said. “It would have been tough for them to catch us. My horse was very game from there. I am very high on this horse. With every start he is not getting so hot and is very nice to handle.”

FASHION FRENZIE REPLAY

In the 4^th race Goodtimes second elimination division, the race pretty much in the hands of Sonofamistery (Tim Tetrick) who led the field down the stretch, then miscued and went off stride, setting up a decent closing effort by Locatelli (Andy McCarthy) to win it.

Publicity Seeker (Doug McNair) was the first on the lead with Warrawee Whisper (Jonathan Dury) in second place to the first quarter in :27.4. It was then that Tetrick took Sonofamistery first-over and they cleared to the lead at the half mile marker in :56.4.

Going into the backstretch, Locatelli and McCarthy came first-over with Macho Martini (Bob McClure) second-over to the three-quarters in 1:25.2.

Starting down the stretch, Sonofamistery looked comfortable on the lead. Publicity Seeker came out of the pocket and just as they started up on the outside, Sonofamistery went off-stride. Locatelli, who was already on the outside, was not affected by the break and went on to win by half a length over Publicity Seeker with Warrawee Whisper third. Also making the final were Tokyo Seelster (Yannick Gingras) fourth and Macho Martini fifth.

A gelded son of Muscle Hill, it was the third win this year for Locatelli. He is trained by Nancy Takter for co-owners John Fielding, Steve Helmbecker and Black Horse Racing. He paid $12.20 to win.

“I thought he would be good tonight,” said McCarthy of Locatelli. “He (Sonofamistery) did not affect us at all. I wanted to be in a spot upfront or be first-over. Once we were on the outside and I pulled his ear plugs he was going strong.”

LOCATELLI REPLAY

The first five finishers in official order return next Saturday for the $240,000 Goodtimes Stakes final.

The post positions for the $240,000 Goodtimes are listed below:

1 – On A Streak by Cantab Hall
2 – Macho Martini by Muscle Mass
3 – Locatelli by Muscle Hill
4 – Publicity Seeker by Muscle Mass
5 – Fashion Frenzie by Archangel
6 – Dancinginthedark M by Readily Express
7 – Tokyo Seelster by Kadabra
8 – Logan Park by Archangel
9 – Warrawee Whisper by Trixton
10 – Ritson by Cantab Hall
AE – Sonofamistery by Muscle Hill

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink