Record performance for Lucky Chucky at Woodbine

Lucky Chucky charged to a new track and Canadian record for two-year-old trotting colts on a 7/8 mile track, as he captured the first of two $25,475 eliminations for next week’s Breeders’ Crown final in 1:55.1 Friday night at Woodbine.

 

The effort shattered the previous record of 1:56.0 set by Donato Hanover (October 2006) and Majestic Son (November 2005).

 

Driven by John Campbell, Lucky Chucky snatched the lead from early pacesetter, Temple Of Doom (Dave Miller) by the 3/8 pole, and went on to set fractions of :57.2 and 1:26.4 while repelling a challenge from favourite, Il Villaggio (Tim Tetrick) who rolled off-stride late in the stretch to take himself out of contention.

 

At the wire, Lucky Chucky was two lengths the best with Temple Of Doom second and Classic Son (Andy Miller) moving up for third. Magic Fruit (Steve Condren) and Keystone Bernard (Brian Sears) rounded out the top five who will advance to the October 24 final.

 

"He raced well," commented Campbell. "He was not quite as relaxed as I would like, but he was strong, and very good here."

 

Chuck Sylvester trains and co-owns Lucky Chucky along with Neal Goldman and Amy Stolzfus of New Jersey. The son of Windsongs Legacy extended his win streak to five in a row with tonight’s effort.

 

Pilgrims Taj (Mike Lachance) got the job done in the second of the two BC elims for rookie trotters, nipping Newport Volo (Jody Jamieson) by a head in 1:56.1.

 

Andy Miller and Flashback got away fastest off the wings with Wishing Stone and John Campbell towed along in the pocket spot, but by the 3/8 pole Campbell had angled out to overtake. Wishing Stone opened up a healthy lead with Newport Volo stepping right along with him, and together the two colts stepped through panels of :58.1 and 1:27.3 with the rest of the field trailing. Wishing Stone looked to have a lock on the victory, but a late rush from Pilgrims Taj collared the leader at the wire, with Newport Volo poking a head forward for second and Wishing Stone third.

 

Hard Livin (Dan Dube) and Baximum (Dave Miller) also qualified for the final by finishing fourth and fifth.

 

Pilgrims Taj, a son of Broadway Hall, is trained by Keith Armer for Robert Bongiorno, Peter Heffering, Bix Di Meo and Val D’or Farms. This was his sixth career win in nine tries. (WEG)