Freshmen Divisions Lead Grand Circuit Action at Mohawk

Freshmen pacers are in competition at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday, Aug. 26 in two divisions of the $226,050 Nassagaweya Stakes and in one division of its filly counterpart, the $192,333 Eternal Camnation.

Division one of the Nassageweya attracts Breeders Crown hopefuls Albergo Hanover, This Is The Plan, Street Boy, Twin B Tuffenuff, Phil The Thrill, Babes Dig Me and Shadow Moon. Of the hopefuls, Shadow Moon will likely take the most play but could be at a disadvantage with his second-tier starting position, considering his preferred spot is on the lead.

For a touch of value, This Is The Plan has the opportunity to improve off of decent miles in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes. Drawing well for his stalking style, he’ll likely be ignored by some of the hometown heroes like Declan Seelster, Babes Dig Me, and, of course, Shadow Moon.

Summer Travel, entering off a stakes-record performance in the Dream Maker series at Mohawk, heads “Crown” hopefuls Odds On Lauderdale, Torrin Hanover, California Cruisin, Brackley Beach and Courtley Choice in division two of the Nassagaweya. While Summer Travel has speed that will pop out to even the most novice player, Pedro Hanover could be sent off a good price even as the potential second choice. Add on for potential underneath value Courtley Choice, who ships in from strong miles in the New York Sires Stakes, and a possibly decent trifector could be scored.

Undefeated in three starts, Percy Blue Chip leads Crown eligibles Kissin In The Sand, Pueblo Blue Chip, Im With Her and Ella Is Awesome in the Eternal Camnation. Admittedly a notch better than this bunch, Play The Bell is showing improvement moving into this race, rallying to finish third to Percy Blue Chip in a split of the Ontario Sires Stakes last week. Though her late speed might make her the second chalk, she shows the best ability to topple the public choice.

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Follow major 2017 BC hopefuls on their road to the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park at the Breeders Crown Countdown blog and the TwinSpires harness blog weekly, with archived reports on the results at the Hambletonian Society web site.