MILTON, September 3, 2024 – The harness racing season's two standout three-year-old pacing colts, Nijinsky and Legendary Hanover, are lined up to compete in Saturday’s $167,000 Simcoe Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Pepsi North America Cup champion Nijinsky (Bettors Delight) and Meadowlands Pace victor Legendary Hanover (Huntsville) lead a competitive field of 11 in the Simcoe, which is one of six stakes races featured in the 12-race card for the day. This highly anticipated meeting marks the first encounter between these top colts since the Meadowlands Pace on July 13.
The rivalry stands at 1-1 this season, with each winning a prestigious event for three-year-old pacers. Nijinsky boasts an impressive record of eight wins from nine starts this season, including notable triumphs in the NA Cup, Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, OSS Gold Mid-Season Challenge, and a Meadowlands Pace elimination.
Louis-Philippe Roy will drive Nijinsky, starting from post eight, representing owners West Wins Stable, John Fielding, and Mark Dumain.
On the other hand, Legendary Hanover is the season's fastest horse, holding a record of 1:46.2 set in the Cane Pace on August 3. Despite a fourth-place finish in the NA Cup, he has since secured four wins out of five races, including The Meadowlands Pace and the Empire Breeders Classic.
James MacDonald will drive Legendary Hanover from post six for owners Eric Good, West Wins Stable, and Mark Dumain.
The Simcoe 3-Year-Old Open is scheduled as Race 7 (9:32 p.m. ET).
In addition to these colts, the season’s leading three-year-old pacing filly, Its A Love Thing (Bettors Delight), is also set to compete in the Simcoe Stakes. Trained by Dave Menary, she aims for her eighth win in 10 starts this season, going up against seven challengers for a purse of $152,000. With earnings over $633,000 in 2024, she has excelled in both the Grand Circuit and sire stakes.
Its A Love Thing’s impressive season includes victories in the Fan Hanover, Jerry Silverman Memorial, SBOA, multiple OSS Gold events, and the Kentucky Sires Stakes.
James MacDonald will partner with Its A Love Thing from post six. The Simcoe 3-Year-Old Filly Pace is set as Race 9 (10:16 p.m. ET).
Additionally, Saturday’s Grand Circuit action includes two divisions for both the Champlain 2-Year-Old Open Pace and Champlain 2-Year-Old Filly Pace, each with purses exceeding $80,000, scheduled as Races 2, 3, 6, and 8.