Lis Mara upset in Classic

June 10, 2007

Lis Mara suffered a stunning defeat in the third leg of the Classic Series Saturday night at Mohawk as he had to settle for a fourth-place finish behind Artistic Fella, who rallied to a 1:48.4 victory in the $89,930(C) event.

Driver Brian Sears attempted to move Lis Mara to the lead approaching the final turn but was unable to clear the pacesetting Shark Gesture and driver George Brennan. As the two Erv Miller trainees slugged it out, Cat Manzi waited patiently with Artistic Fella before making his move midway down the stretch. Artistic Fella paced on to the victory over a late-closing Boulder Creek, with Shark Gesture held third over Lis Mara, the top-ranked Standardbred this year who suffered his first defeat in five starts.

Joe Alborano owns the winner, who is trained by Steve Elliott. The 4-year-old son of Pacific Fella notched his third win in eight starts this year.b

The veteran trotter Sand Vic edged Vivid Photo in a thrilling edition of the $89,930(C) Trotting Classi. The pair dueled stretch-long, but Sand Vic, with Sears driving, held their neck advantage through the wire, in 1:53.4. Hez Striking finished third, beaten 1 � lengths.

It was another winner on the card for trainer Trond Smedshammer, who saddled the bay Mr Vic horse for August Fredrix Miedel of Florida. It was the 6-year-old�s 23rd career win, and he paid $4.60 to win as the public choice.

Many considered Saturday's $89,930(C) Classic Oaks at Mohawk one of finest fields of trotting mares ever assembled.

Four millionaire distaffers, Peaceful Way, Passionate Glide, Mystical Sunshine, and Pure Ivory, and 162 total wins lined up behind the gate.

It was the well-regarded Buck I St Pat who emerged best of the best, though, scoring a 1 1/4-length victory over Birminghim in 1:53. Pure Ivory was third, beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

Sears guided the Jailhouse Jesse 4 year old to her 20th career victory for Cambridge, Ont. trainer Ron Parsons and the partnership Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, and breeder Dr. Ron Fuller.

"She gives good effort every time she goes to post, and she's really matured," Sears said. "The trip worked out perfectly."

Vysoke Tatry sprung a 38-1 shocker to close out the four Classic legs Saturday. With driver Rick Zeron, Vysoke Tatry edged past favored Darlin's Delight nearing the wire to capture the $89,930(C) Distaff for older pacing mares in 1:51.2. To Helen Back was third.

Trained by Brett Robinson, the winning 5-year-old daughter of Dragon's Lair is owned by Andray Farm and William Gregg. The time equaled her career mark. (with files from WEG)

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