Speightstown’s venerable sprinter Essence Hit Man won the $169,200 Jacques Cartier S. for the third straight year Saturday at Woodbine. The winner was recently named Canada’s champion sprinter for the second year in a row.
Trained by Sylvain Pion and ridden by Jesse Campbell for owners A&G Racing Stable, Essence Hit Man came out of the gate in front, getting the quarter in :22.33 and a half in :45.02 Campbell asked Essence Hit Man for more at the top of the lane and the six-year-old opened up to win by four lengths, in 1:08.83 for the six furlongs.
“He was a calm customer today, very well behaved in the gate,” said Campbell. “I had no concerns leaving the gate and I knew at third or fourth jump he’s going to be on his way.”
“I’d rather him be like that, I don’t need him to leave in :21,” said Campbell. “He’s quick when you need him.”
It was an emotional result for the connections with the passing of Audre Cappuccitti?, co-owner/breeder and former trainer of Essence Hit Man, last November.
“The way he ran makes it emotional,” said Campbell. “He’s a champ.”
Making his first start in 2013, Essence Hit Man banked $108,000 in victory, improving his lifetime record to 11-5-3 from 25 starts. Ten of his 11 wins have come in stakes race, contributing to his $1,215,476 lifetime earnings.
With excellent results on track this year, Speightstown’s progeny have racked up $3,476,366 in earnings, garnering him the second-place spot on the General Sire list through April 28.
