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Sintra returns in Summertime Series at Mohawk

July 07, 2016
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After finishing second to the Pepsi North America Cup champion, Sintra returns to the Summertime Series Saturday looking to finish what he started two weeks back. The Dave Menary trainee headlines a field of eight for the $47,000 Summertime Series Final on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.
 
Sintra won the opening leg of the annual series for sophomore pacing colts and geldings on June 25, but skipped the second leg in order to compete in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event last Saturday.  The son of Mach Three and driver Jody Jamieson called all the shots, but surrendered the lead in the stretch to finish second to arguably the top pacing colt in the sport, Betting Line. The OSS defeat was just the first loss of the season for Sintra.

"I just thought it was herculean," said Jamieson about Sintra's effort in the OSS. "He got beat by Betting Line, I mean Betting Line beat the world…he proved it again beating a very good horse in Sintra.

"I had my way, Jonathan (Drury) said he was having trouble steering him around the half and I thought I dusted him in the third-quarter and he just came back to beat me."

Proving he can go with a top Grand Circuit horse, Sintra returns to the Summertime Series with many expecting him to cruise to victory in the final. However, several of the other starters in the series finale have plenty of ability between them and will look to ensure it's no walk in the park for Sintra.

Major Hill disappointed in last week's leg, but the stablemate of Sintra has two victories this season and has hit the board in six of eight outings. Major Hill sports a career-mark of 1:50.4 and has earned a cheque in each start this year.

Dreamfair Mesa scored a 17-1 upset in last Saturday's second leg. The Pat Fletcher trainee stopped the clock in a career-best 1:50.3 and could be finding the potential he showed when he debuted back in the winter.

Blayde Hanover finished second to Dreamfair Mesa last week and has only finished outside the top two once in five starts this season. The Tony O'Sullivan trainee has paced home in :28 or faster in each start this season.

Sintra is the clear horse to beat with six wins in seven starts this season. Another victory Saturday would add the Menary trainee to an impressive list of recent Summertime Series champions, including Split The House, Melmerby Beach, Lucan Hanover and State Treasurer.

The Summertime Series final has been carded as Race 2 on Saturday's 11-race card.

Three-year-old pacing fillies will also wrap up a series on Saturday evening, as a field of nine will compete in the $48,800 Town Pro Series Final.
 
Lindys Nightmare is expected to be the favorite after a 1:50.4 dominating victory in the opening leg. The Frank Antonacci trainee skipped the second leg and enters the final with three wins in four career starts. Rick Zeron will drive Lindys Nightmare and the duo will leave from post seven.

The Town Pro Final has been carded as Race 8.

Saturday's card will also feature two $105,000 OSS Gold divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies and a $34,000 Preferred Pace. Post time is 7:30 p.m. (WEG)

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