CAMPBELLVILLE, April 29 – It generally takes time for a four-year-old to step up and beat top overnight horses, but that was not the case Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Four-year-old gelding Sintra won Saturday’s $27,000 feature event with a large 1:50.4 performance for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Dave Menary. The former Ontario Sires Stakes star was making his four-year-old debut and first start since the OSS Super Final last October. Competing against seven rivals, including proven Preferred stars, Sintra got away sixth in the early-going. The tempo was modest, as Our Sky Major N led the field by the half in :56. Despite the easy-fractions for the group, Jamieson pulled first-up and unleashed his charge heading into the final turn. Sintra delivered an impressive :26.3 third-quarter to blow right by his opponents and snag command away from Our Sky Major N. In the stretch, the Menary trainee left his rivals well-behind and cruised home in :27.2 for a 3 ½ lengths score. Mach Code finished second, while Erle Dale N was third. The betting public was certainly hoping Sintra was ready to roll off the bench, as the four-year-old went off at odds of 7/2 and paid $9.40 to win. Owned by Brad Gray, Michael Guerriero and Menary Racing Inc, Sintra won eight of 16 starts last season for earnings of $294,500. Saturday’s victory improves the Mach Three gelding’s career record to nine wins in 20 starts. With his four-year-old debut now in the books, Sintra’s next start could be in the Confederation Cup eliminations on Sunday, May 14 at Flamboro Downs. The Menary trainee is one of 32 four-year-olds eligible to this year’s event. Also on Saturday, Jins Shark posted the first sub-1:50 mile of the Mohawk meet with a 1:49.4 score in the $22,000 opening race. The Isaac Waxman trainee made a third-quarter move to the lead from fourth to front the field by the three-quarter pole in 1:23. Jins Shark proceeded to pace a :26.4 final-quarter to score a dominating 5 ¼ lengths sub-1:50 victory. Doug McNair guided the six-year-old gelding to his third win of the season and 16th win overall. Jins Shark paid $3.60 to win. Live racing resumes Monday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 7:30 p.m. Share This:Share
