stakes recap

By Ken Weingartner
​Media Relations Manager, U.S. Trotting Association

A year to the day that Sippinonsearoc launched a big rally along the pylons in the stretch of a Breeders Crown final to miss by only a head, the Ron Burke trainee got a similar trip in Saturday’s $600,000 championship for 3-year-old male pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park and came away with the win.

Sippinonsearoc and driver Yannick Gingras posted a neck victory over Dandy Ideal in a stakes-record 1:47.3 Saturday as they found room to the inside to come from fifth turning from home and capture their Breeders Crown trophy. Captain Optimistic was third and Prince Hal Hanover finished fourth.

Gingras and Sippinonsearoc got to the lead after a five-horse scramble off the gate and brought the field to the opening quarter in :25.3. Prince Hal Hanover and driver Todd McCarthy moved to the front from there, but were on top only briefly as Dandy Ideal, with Jason Bartlett, took over at the :54.1 half. Louprint and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr., parked out for much of the way, made a first-over challenge going to three-quarters but got no closer than second as Dandy Ideal reached that station in 1:20.4.

Dandy Ideal looked to slip away from the field down the stretch, opening up by 2-1/2 lengths, but Sippinonsearoc’s :26 last quarter was enough to get the job done.

"I was kind of happy where I got away, I just wasn't quite happy with the :25.3 first quarter,” Gingras said about the trip. “Other than that, I thought I was following two of the three best horses in the race between Dandy Ideal and Prince Hal Hanover, so I kind of liked my spot.

“He’s been so good, really; he deserved a big win. He's been knocking at the door. I'm so happy for him."

Sippinonsearoc has won 13 of 26 career races and earned $1.3 million (USD).

The triumph was the second of the weekend for Burke in a Breeders Crown final, giving him 24 in his career, the second most among trainers in history. It was Gingras’ 27th lifetime trophy, moving him into a fifth-place tie with Mike Lachance among drivers. The son of Downbytheseaside-Queen Ann M is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, RAS Racing and Knox Services. He was bred by Trent Stohler Stable and Alesha Binkley.

"I'm just happy for the connections and happy to get to the winner's circle finally tonight," Gingras said.

Sent off at odds of 9-2, Sippinonsearoc paid $11.80 to win.