Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Lis Mara Wins $933,000 Canadian Pacing Derby

Lis Mara strides out to win the Canadian pacing Derby

June 24, 2006

Brian Sears and Lis Mara captured the $933,000 Canadian Pacing Derby Saturday at Mohawk. Sears was able to get Lis Mara to the opening quarter in :26.3 ahead of Boulder Creek (Dan Dube) and Mypanmar (John Campbell). After the field settled, Campbell was quick to pull Mypanmar out of the three-hole, and Sears let that duo clear and hit the half-mile mark in :53.4 Three-quarters were reached with little action up front, as Mypanmar was still on top in 1:20.4. Sears then pulled the pocket with Lis Mara and fought tooth and nail with Campbell and Mypanmar down the stretch, and Lis Mara was able to get to the line a half length ahead of Mypanmar in 1:48.4, erasing the long-standing older pacing mark and tying Blissed Out's overall pacing record. Boulder Creek nosed out Hop Sing for third, with Maltese Artist fifth.

"He trained back well, and he's been sharp every start for us," said assistant trainer Tony Alagna. "He was very impressive last week after racing like that and losing all his momentum. "The reason that Mike [owner Gulotta] bought him was that he knew there was potential. He raced against a lot of good three-year-olds last year. "He's getting a week off then he's off to the Meadowlands."

Tonight's win marks Lis Mara's 12 career tally, and the win vaults his lifetime earnings to $775,958. This was just his third start for recent buyers MJG Racing Stables Inc. of Annandale, New Jersey and Louis Willinger of Louisville, Ky.

$933,000 Canadian Pacing Derby   Mohawk Raceway   Saturday, June 24, 2006
PP Horse                     Driver
7 Lis Mara                     Brian Sears
2 Mypanmar                 John Campbell
1 Boulder Creek           Daniel Dube
3 Hop Sing                    Luc Ouellette
5 Maltese Artist            Jamie Jamison
8 Buckeye One            D. Clements
6 Ponder                      Ron Pierce
10 Escape The Wind      R. Mayotte
4 Leading X Ample        David Miller
9 Casimir Camotion      G. Brennan
26.3           53.4           1:20.4           1:48.4