Friendly Amigo and Windsong Soprano easily trounced rivals in their respective $33,263 Trillium Series divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack
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The win also marked a milestone for Windsong Soprano who became harness racing’s newest millionaire.
In the opening contest, Bruce Richardson wasted little time sending Friendly Amigo to command from Post 6 and, once on top, the daughter of Amigo Hall - Diminutive cruised through splits of :28.1, :57 and 1:25.3. In the stretch, the filly widened her advantage and crossed the wire 6-3/4 lengths better than nearest rival Keep The Spirit (Randy Waples) with Ldees Creditreport (Tony Kerwood) finishing third in the 1:55.1 mile.
It was the fifth win in 22 starts this season for the Blair Burgess trainee, who is owned by father Bob and wife Karin Olsson. The lion’s share of the purse boosted her bankroll to just over $316,000 lifetime.
It was much of the same in the second division as Windsong Soprano and driver Randy Waples waited for things to settle in the first quarter before moving to the lead and never looking back. In the end, it was a
nine-length tally for the daughter of Windsongs Legacy - Muscling In, who stopped the clock in a scintillating 1:54.3.
SOS Respect (Sylvain Filion) got up in the final strides to nip Another Vixen (Shane Weber) for the place spot. The winner returned just $2.30 for the win.
The victory was the 10th in 19 starts this year and vaulted the Bob McIntosh trainee’s career bankroll over the $1 million mark for owner Lothlorien of Cheltenham, Ont.
The win was one of four on the 13-race card for Waples.
Ricky Bobby Speeds To Fastest Autumn Series Split
Ricky Bobby and Justalittleluck emerged victorious in Saturday’s pair of $25,000 Autumn Series eliminations for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Woodbine Racetrack.
Ricky Bobby converted from a pocket trip in the opening contest for driver Jody Jamieson and posted a three-quarter length decision in 1:52.3. The son of Peruvian Hanover - Abes Delight upended the pacesetting I Wanna Race (Mario Baillargeon) with Tapioca Blues (Rick Zeron) rounding out the top three.
It was the fifth win in 23 starts this season for the Anthony Montini trainee, who returned a popular $3.50 for the win. The winner’s share of the purse vaulted him over $37,000 this season for owner Ron Molendyk of Rockwood, Ont.
In the second split, Nick Steward sent Justalittleluck straight to the front from Post 1 and the longshot did not look back, posting a gate-to-wire tally in 1:53. The son of Northern Luck - Sunnie Corleone turned back Lookin For A Fight (Mark MacDonald) by three lengths with Star Parade (Jody Jamieson) finishing in the show position.
It was the seventh win in 19 starts this season for Justalittleluck, who is trained by Kim Bakker for owner Martin O'Toole of London, Ont. He kicked back a generous $23.40 while improving his own bankroll to just over $40,000.
The $52,000 Autumn Series Final will go postward next Saturday night from Woodbine.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from WEG)