CBC colt finals to Hidden Message, Big Bay Point

Hidden Message, driven by Phil Hudon, rallied from well back to take the $165,550 Canadian Breeders Championship Final for three-year-old colt trotters, Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.

 

In posting the 8-1 upset, Hidden Message, trained by Emma Frieze for owner Fintec Stables of Hamilton, powered his way down the middle of the track to best Arriba Amigo by a going away three-quarters of a length, with Dontgetinhisway a nose back in third, in 1:54.2. Odds on favourite Text Me, who had taken over the lead from Windsong Geant around the far turn, faded slightly at the end to finish fourth, yet beaten only one length for all the money.

 

It was the second consecutive win for the gelded son of Kadabra, after scoring in his elimination last week by a comfortable three-quarters of a length.

 

However, Hidden Message was buried early on in this contest, l0 and one-half lengths out of it a one point, then four-deep around the far turn as he started to make his way from the back of the pack.

 

“I think it was like fourth-over to start, then when (driver) Randy (Waples) cleared (with Text Me) we were third-over but we were gapped out,” explained Hudon. “I didn’t think we’d get a cheque around the last turn, but when I moved him three deep, he started picking it up and I thought I had a shot.

 

“It all worked out. He can step with anything down the lane, especially if they race a little bit. And they raced a little bit there but it was slow and he still wound up winning.. So he’s legit.”

 

It was the sixth win in 12 starts this year for Hidden Message, after an abbreviated two-year-old season in which he took two of only four outings.

 

Big Bay Point went wire to wire to capture the $166,871 Canadian Breeders Championship for three-year-old pacing colts in a stakes record time of 1:49.

 

Driver Tim Tetrick left from post four and controlled the fractions of :26.1, :54.1, 1:21.2 and held off a late challenge from Mach Dreamer with Dalhousie Dave completed the triactor.

 

“I wasn’t worried about how fast they were going. They went to the three-quarter pole in (1):21.2 but I was more worried about Jody (Jamieson). He gave his horse (Dalhousie Dave) a perfect trip and last week he finished real strong. That was my only concern,” explained Menary.

 

“I don’t know how much faster he could go. He might be able to shave a tick off here or there but the track conditions have to be right as well as him having the right trip with no wind involved,” Menary commented.

 

Big Bay Point lowered his life’s mark of 1:49.4 set in last week’s elimination to boast his career earnings over $195,000.

 

David Menary trains the son of Modern Art for owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

 

Big Bay Point paid $6.00 for the victory. (WEG)