Pampered Princess cruises

Driver John Campbell had a big night on Friday at Mohawk, as he captured two of the three $35,000(C) Elegantimage eliminations for 3-year-old filly trotters. Campbell won with Pampered Princess and Vulcanize, while the other elimination went to Godiva Hall for driver Trevor Ritchie.

Godiva Hall rebounded from a disappointing effort in last week's Casual Breeze Stakes to score in the opening split in 1:58. The daughter of Like A Prayer-Gwyneth Hall rallied from a perfect, second-over trip to haul down Southwind Serena and the pacesetting Miss Color Chip by 2 3/4 lengths.

The complexion of the race changed dramatically when the favored Michelle’s Angel made a break in stride well before the start, and Those Blue Eyes, who was also heavily backed, made a miscue right at the start. That paved the way for Godiva Hall, who had made a break in last week's race, to take full advantage.

"I didn't know what to expect tonight, she wasn't very good last week," said winning driver Trevor Ritchie. "She was pinching a bit last week and was a bit fumbly gaited as a result. He (trainer Peter Foley) did some work on her this week, and she felt much better in post parade. The wind was brutal in the stretch. When they're fighting that type of wind in this long stretch its hard on them."

Tonight's win was the first this season for Godiva Hall, who went eight-for-11 last year for owners Stephen and Eugene Oldford of Michigan and North South Partners 2 of Georgia.

In the second elimination, the heavily favored Pampered Princess dominated her rivals with a strong, first-over win for Campbell, in 1:57.4. After settling away third in the early going, the daughter of Andover Hall-Bold Dreamer made her move in the third quarter, and wore down the pacesetting Zing, before trotting away to the easy win. Sing Me To Sleep rallied for second, with Danae grabbing the show spot.

It was the first win in just two tries this season for the Jimmy Takter trainee, who was upended by Michelle’s Angel in her debut last week in the Casual Breeze Stakes. Pampered Princess races for owners Bob and David Anderson of Ontario.

“She raced good last week; the other filly (Michelles Angel) had a good trip,” Takter said during a post-race interview. “When they trot in 1:54 in their first start you have be happy with the effort. The wind is really affecting horses when they come home tonight."

Campbell came right back in the third and final elimination, as he scored with Vulcanize in an identical clocking of 1:57.4. Coming off a win in last week's Casual Breeze Stakes, the daughter of Muscles Yankee-My Starchip worked out a perfect, second-over trip, and kicked clear in the stretch under no urging to easily turn back Keystone Shana and the pacesetting J M Aggie.

"She was very strong last week, and I think she was even more impressive tonight," Campbell said. "She was well within herself tonight. I think she's been maturing. You just have to be a bit careful with her at the gait. She has a high turn of speed."

It was the second win in five tries for the Bob McIntosh trainee, who was unraced at age two. The filly is owned by the Lothlorien Equestrian Centre of Mississauga, Ont.

The $531,800(C) Elegantimage final will be raced next Saturday, as part of Pepsi North America Cup night at Mohawk.

The field, in post position order will consist of Keystone Shana, Godiva Hall, Vulcanize, Pampered Princess, Miss Color Chip, J M Aggie, Sing Me To Sleep, Likely Volo, Southwind Serena, and Danae. Just Dandy is also eligible. (WEG)

« Back