Champlain record for Wheeling N Dealin

Wheeling N Dealin remains undefeated after lowering the stakes record in his Champlain Stakes division on Friday night at Mohawk. The Dustin Jones-trained Wheeling N Dealin captured the first $140,914 split in 1:55, which is also one-fifths of a second shy of the track record for 2-year-old trotting colts.

 

Wheeling N Dealin and driver Sylvain Filion got away fourth behind tempo-setter Murmur Hanover (Mario Baillargeon), who marched past the first quarter in :27.3. As the field hit the midway point in :57, the Peter Haughton Memorial winner, Aperfectyankee (Jim Oscarsson), launched a first-over bid for command from third with Wheeling N Dealin catching second-over cover.

 

Murmur Hanover was able to hold the front past the three-quarters in 1:25.4, but at the head of the lane, Wheeling N Dealin was fed open racetrack. The rookie utilized a :28.3 final frame to score the 1 1/4-length victory. Aperfectyankee, the 4-5 favorite, stayed for second and Murmur Hanover faded to third.

 

"We got a pretty nice trip out there and he responded well,” said Filion from the winner's circle. "I just love this horse. He makes me look good.”

 

The son of Cantab Hall-Quick Credit has a perfect five-for-five record in his debut season, which includes a sweep of the Bridger Trotting Series at Mohawk. With the victory, the colt pushed his earning to $129,457 for owner Ecurie Synergie.

 

Wheeling N Dealin paid $9 to win as the second choice.

 

Filion returned to victory lane in the second $138,915 Champlain dash when the Glenn Lalonde-trained Toocool Forschool pulled off a 10-1 upset.

 

The freshman settled on the rail in third before Hobsons Choice (Randy Waples) cut the opening panel in :28.4. My Man Can (Andy Miller) then pulled the pocket, clearing to the front on the way to the half in :58.2. The 4-5 favorite held command past the three-quarters in 1:27.1.

 

Into the stretch, Toocool Forschool was angled to the outside. The colt was able to track down the leader en route to breaking his maiden by one and a half lengths in 1:57.1. My Man Can finished second and Cool Victory (Jack Moiseyev) faded to third.

 

The son of Kadabra-Stonebridge Lane lifted his earnings to $81,457 for owners Roland Rocco and Benoit Gendron.

 

Toocool Forschool returned $22.50 to win.

 

Filion, who recently notched his 7,000th career driving victory, found the winner's circle with four of his 12 drives on Friday's 13-race card. The reinsman also won with the Clark Beelby-trained Sheer Glide ($5.80, 1:54.4) and Cocomara ($14.90, 1:53.2) for conditioner Erv Miller. (WEG)