Ponder readies for Battle

Ponder tuned up for the Battle Of Lake Erie by qualifiying at Mohawk Tuesday morning in 1:54.1. Driven by Rick Zeron for trainer Bob McIntosh, Ponder made a break before the gate in an Open Pace at Woodbine on June 3. Per Canadian rules, all monies wagered on the favorite were refunded and he was forced to re-qualify.

Ponder is a 5-year-old stallion by The Panderosa out of $350,000-winning Empty Feeling (Abercrombie). Originally a $67,000 yearling purchase, Ponder started slowly as a youngster, but burst onto the scene last year, taking a mark of 1:48.3 in an Allerage elimination as well as winning the Canadian Pacing Derby and the Molson Cup. He has made just shy of $1 million lifetime.

He is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., CSX Stables and John Fielding. He was second to Maltese Artist in the Northfield feature last year.

Stiletto and Rick Zeron led from go to whoa in his qualifier, tripping the ticker in 1:55.2.

Stiletto is a 6-year-old gelding by Mr Vic out of Armbro Natural (Speedy Crown). Co-owned by Basil Michele, War Dare Ltd. and trainer Anthony Montini, he won the Glorys Comet this year and $447,345 lifetime. He took his mark of 1:53.1 last year at Woodbine.

Cookerosa made a break early in his qualifier, but did come home in :26.4 to finish second in 1:57 with Luc Ouelette aboard.

The 3-year-old colt by The Panderosa has a qualifying mark of 1:52.2 and has made just short of $99,338. This year he finished fourth in the Berry’s Creek at the Meadowlands and made a break in last week’s Burlington at Woodbine, finishing ninth. He is eligible to the North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace.

Bred by Alton Lynch Jr., Cookerosa is out of Open-class mare and $300,000-winner Cookie Raider (Keystone Raider). He was recently sold by Lynch to an ownership group of Scharf, Baldachino, Wasserman and Lightning 5 Racing Stable.

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