Laughing Art, the runner-up in last year's Metro Pace, wired the field from post eight in 1:56.1-- final half in :56.3--in qualifying action at Mohawk Monday morning. Mark MacDonald guided the 3-year-old colt by Artsplace-Laughing Pro to the one-length score.
The colt owned by Tony Chiaravalle won four times and hit the board in nine of 12 starts as a rookie. He finished second in the $1 million Metro Pace and took his 1:51.4 record in a division of the Champlain Stakes. He is eligible to this year’s Pepsi North America Cup.
In other qualfying action, in race six, Michelles Power won in 1:56. Jody Jamieson handled the Camluck-Michelles Jackpot filly, who is owned by Jeff Snyder of New York, New York. She went six for 16 last season while banking just under $480,000 and capped off her campaign with a win over Luck Of Michelle in the $300,000 OSS Super Final.
Another 3-year-old winner was Running Book, who posted a 1:54.4 victory in race eight. The son of Real Desire-Open Book was also handled by Mark MacDonald and turned in the fastest clocking of the morning session.
In 11 starts as a freshman, Running Book won five times for owner Tony Chiaravalle while banking more than $137,000. His 1:52.2 record also came in a division of the Champlain Stakes. He has also been kept eligible to the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup. (Woodbine press release)