Stonebridge Helios commanding in Champlain

Stonebridge Helios muscled to the top and battled off a third quarter challenge to win the $213,170 open  harness racing division of the Champlain Stakes on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Bob McClure kept the son of Sunshine Beach wide entering the first turn as they floated out from post eight and hurried him to the front in a :27.3 opening quarter mile. They took a backstretch breather, hitting the half in :56.3, and warred against the pocket-popping Market Based (Dexter Dunn) as they passed three-quarters in 1:25.

Stonebridge Helios repelled his rival as they straightened for home and kicked away to a three-and-a-quarter-length score in 1:52.1. Market Based was clear in second; Century Inspector (Tyler Moore) was a couple of lengths behind him in third.

“He did it really easy so we ended up getting away, and he was either be in a position to either get to the front or go first up,” McClure said. “He felt so good I just decided to give him his head and let him go cut it. He got to the front and was really relaxed, and about halfway through the far turn I just spoke to him and he swelled right up. And wow, did he ever kick home. I shut him down pretty early, just kept his attention… he’s progressing into an extremely nice colt.”

STONEBRIDGE HELIOS REPLAY

Stonebridge Helios improved his lifetime record to four-for-six lifetime with the victory against freshman and increased his earnings to more than $250,000. He has now won three straight with two previous wins in Ontario Sires Stakes Golds. John Pentland trains and co-ownsthe colt with John Fleischman of Ottawa, Angie Stiller of Arva.

Silver Label stayed unbeaten through six starts as she fired from fifth to first uncovered to earned a 1:52.2 victory in the $180,520 division of the Champlain for fillies.

SILVER LABEL REPLAY

James MacDonald piloted the Nick Gallucci trainee to her sixth lifetime victory for Millar Farms, which bred and owns the horse. Silver Label debuted in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots but moved up to the Gold level and won three before her Champlain score. The daughter of Bettors Delight has earned $246,176 to date.

“I didn’t want to get in a big rush with her and blast her to the front,” MacDonald said after the race. “She really loves coming off a helmet. I was hoping I could find one. I probably could’ve brushed her to the lead, but I just had so much confidence in her. I said ‘If I got to come first up, I got to come first up.’ When she sees a horse, she just really wants to track them down. I was really confident – it looked like Todd [McCarthy and Boudoir Hanover] was going to get away, and then she just finds more every time you need her to. Just a beautiful horse and a pleasure to drive.”

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink