Stars qualify at Mohawk

World record holder American Ideal and three-time WEG Award winner Invitro both won their respective qualifying races Friday morning at Mohawk.

In rein to pilot Mark MacDonald during the morning’s third dash, American Ideal left from post two and sat fourth through fractions of :28.3 and :58.2 before tipping first-over. The 4-year-old son of Western Ideal was a head back to Silent Swing (driven by Jody Jamieson) at the 1:27.1 three-quarter pole before kicking home with a :27.1 final panel to record the three-quarter-length victory in 1:54.2.

Paul MacDonell was behind Invitro in the fifth qualifier and, after leaving from post three, the pair went wire to wire in 1:55.1, recording the fractions in :29.2, :58.4 and 1:26.3 along the way.

Casie Coleman, trainer of American Ideal, was pleased with the mile her prized charge put in.

“I was really happy with his mile this morning,” said Coleman. “The track is a little bit off, it’s cold out and it poured rain yesterday, so for him to come home with a last half in :55 and a piece, with a last quarter in :27 and a piece, I was really happy with him.”

American Ideal, who lowered the world record (1:47.4) for 3 year olds last season, made his first qualifier of the season May 3 at Flamboro Downs, romping by 13 3/4 lengths in 1:56.3.

“We’d planned on going in (1):54 with him this morning,” Coleman explained. “He went (1):56.3 at Flamboro, and we’re going to go three qualifiers with him (before entering him to race), so next week we’re going to go more of a mile with him. (Since his first qualifier) we just went some light miles in between, and we’ll qualify with him (at Mohawk) again next Friday (May 19) and then we’ll go from there.”

It’s always touchy to tinker with success, but Coleman also indicated that she has been making some subtle changes with American Ideal since he has been coming back from his standout 2005 campaign.

“We changed his bridle up this week,” said Coleman. “He was being a little bit hot and he always wears blinkers, so I put an open bridle on him today and he was good and calm, so I was really happy about that, too.”

Invitro’s trainer, Gord Irwin, was happy with his star’s qualifying effort. He mentioned that he wasn’t looking for the 5-year-old Camluck mare to go any particular type of trip, and that he always leaves those things up to MacDonell.

“We just leave that up to Paul,” said Irwin, who owns the mare with fellow breeder Murray Ross. “Wherever Paul feels he wants to go with her to make sure she’s ready to put in the box, that’s all we’re concerned about, and Paul said that she felt good.”

Invitro, a 21-time winner who has banked over $1.6 million in her career, made successful back-to-back April qualifiers at Florida’s Southern Oaks Training Center before shipping home and qualifying this morning.

“She’s been excellent–she’s settled in really well and has been training well back at home,” said Irwin. “Physically, she’s put on a little more body (since last year)–she’s carrying a little more weight. Attitude-wise, she’s pretty well the same as she’s always been and we don’t want her to change.”

Irwin noted that Invitro will be debuting at Woodbine in the coming weeks and that she has a full stakes schedule on her plate if everything goes as planned.

“We’re looking at heading into the Fillies and Mares Open next Friday (May 19),” said Irwin. “The Roses Are Red will be her first (stakes race) and then from there we will govern her accordingly. She’s eligible for the Milton, Breeders Crown, the Classic (Series) and the Golden Girls.” (WEG)

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