TORONTO, October 27…Rockin Amadeus, a 17-1 shot with Yannick Gingras, got up in the final strides to take the $600,000 (US) Two-Year-Old Colt Pace on Breeders Crown night at Woodbine.
It was a three-horse photo at the wire, but Rockin Amadeus
had prevailed by a half-length, with Wake Up Peter one-quarter length in front
of the prohibitive choice Captaintreacherous for second, in the 1:51.2 mile.
Captaintreacherous, sent postward the 1-5 favourite, assumed
command after an opening quarter by Urbanite Hanover in :26.3, leading his
rivals to the half in :55.2 and was still comfortably in front by a length
after three-quarters in 1:23.2.
But the Metro winner, who was coming off an easy 1:50
elimination win last week, began to tire slightly, as Rockin Amadeus and Wake
Up Peter, the other elim winner, inched closer and eventually brushed passed
the pacesetter just before the wire.
Trained by Jimmy Takter for owner-breeder Lothlorien of
Cheltenham, Ontario, Rockin Amadeus, a well-bred son of Rocknroll
Hanover-Kikikatie, was notching his third and biggest win in 10 starts.
He’d come into the final off a distant third place finish to Captaintreacherous
in his elim. With the $300,000 first place prize, Rockin Amadeus pushed
his bankroll to over $450,000.
Said Lothlorien owner Susan Grange, “Not really (any
pressure at 17-1). It was a lot easier this time. We deliberately bought
Kikikatie to breed with Rocknroll (Hanover). We’ve kept all the colts. This one
made it work. He (Gingras) has done an excellent job.
I’ve always liked (Rockin Amadeus). He’s had a bit of bad
luck, but I always thought he had it. I’ve always thought he had a lot of
heart.”
Grange also co-owned his sire, Rocknroll Hanover, who won
the 2005 Crown Pace for three-year-olds en route to Horse-of-the-Year honours.
Rockin Amadeus lit up the toteboard, paying $37, $12.40 and
$4, while combining with Wake Up Peter ($8.30, $3.30) for a $304.60 (2-4)
exactor. A 2-4-3 (Captaintreacherous, $2.10 to show) triactor was worth
$586.20, while a $1 superfecta [2-4-3-5 (Twilight Bonfire)] returned $6,754.20.
