Santanna rocks in Mohawk qualifier

Last season's Governor's Cup and Breeders Crown champion, Santanna Blue Chip, turned in a sparkling effort in his second qualifier of the season this morning at Mohawk Racetrack as he stopped the clock in a sharp 1:53.2. The colt is one of the early season favorites for this year's Pepsi North America Cup on June 14 at Mohawk.

The son of Art Major went straight to the front for driver and co-owner Jody Jamieson and paced home with a strong final quarter of :27 to win by eight lengths over another NA Cup prospect, My Time Hanover, who is now in the care of trainer Garry Merner.

Santanna Blue Chip is scheduled to compete next in the Burlington Stakes at Mohawk on Saturday, May 31.

Stablemate and fellow Cup eligible Legacy N Diamonds was also victorious in his qualifier with a solid 1:55 score for driver Steve Condren. The son of The Panderosa won from off the pace with a sharp :27 final panel. He was coming off a second-place finish behind Somebeachsomewhere in a May 5 qualifier.

Also victorious this morning for Jamieson in gate-to-wire fashion was Shake That Junk, a daughter of Camluck who starred in the Ontario Sire Stakes program last season as a rookie. She won in 1:56.1 and turned in a :27.4 final frame to upend last year's Breeders Crown champion Stylish Artist with trainer Mark Steacy in the bike.

Another notable winner was older pacing mare To Helen Back who kicked in a wicked :26.4 final quarter to best Doonbeg by almost two lengths in 1:53.2. (WEG)

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