Pack Plays a class above Chairman’s Trophy field

Mouttet Mile veteran, United States-bred PACK PLAYS, completed back-to-back grade-one victories yesterday, wiring GIRVANO in the Chairman’s Trophy at seven and a half furlongs, three weeks after similarly landing the Eileen Cliggott Memorial.

PACK PLAYS is unbeaten in two starts this season after closing last year with a fourth-place run behind Mouttet Mile runner-up LEGACY ISLE in the December 27 Chris Armond Sprint.

Revelling in the absence of big grade-one guns such as Mouttet Mile winner, RIDEALLDAY, and LEGACY ISLE, both still resting up after the December 6 event, PACK PLAYS, who had placed sixth for a second consecutive year in the US$300,000 race, has been toying with the second-eleven.

Displaying the form he had used to challenge LEGACY ISLE on the lead in the Mouttet Mile, staying third to the last half-furlong after winner RIDEALLDAY went by early in the stretch run, six-year-old PACK PLAYS was never tested by CALIFORNIA CROWN, the intended rabbit for GIRVANO.

CALIFORNIA CROWN broke sharply from post-position two but was seemingly spooked, unfamiliar with the dummy rail at the intersection of the mile chute and main track, afterwards attempting a recovery, which fell flat a half-mile out, leaving closer GIRVANO with the overwhelming task of chasing PACK PLAYS.

Enjoying blinkers, which were refitted for the Eileen Cliggott in which he ran away from OF A REVOLUTION and DIGITAL ONE, PACK PLAYS cruised through the first two furlongs in 24.2, increasing to 46.4 and 1:11.2, leaving GIRVANO flat-footed.

Pushed out by Christopher Mamdeen, PACK PLAYS won by almost eight lengths in 1:31.0 for Rowan R Mathie, the second time in three days the pair was combining for a feature-race win after defying the handicaps with WALL STREET TRADER in the midweek Ash Wednesday Trophy.

Tevin Foster won the first two events on the 10-race card, opening with 3-5 favourite CHARMING CHATTERBOX for Robert Pearson, running away from three-year-old maidens at five and a half furlongs.

Returning in the second aboard Ryan Darby’s January 31 claim, EAZY PEAZY, Assiniboia Downs-based Foster roused the $1-million claimer to overhaul SASH ON with two-time reigning champion jockey, Raddesh Roman, before holding off late-charging AWESOME ANTHONY with Anthony Thomas at six furlongs.

February’s month of racing closes on Saturday with a Kwik 4 mandatory payout.