The final four preliminary divisions of the Autumn Series for three-year-olds were featured on the 12-race program Friday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.
Three-year-old male pacers and trotters clashed in a set of $15,000 second leg divisions.
After finishing second in the opening round, post time favourite Doubledown Gass (Reg Gassien) took the top spot with a 1:56.3 effort.
Gassien and Doubledown Gass led from start to finish through panels of :27.4, :56.2 and 1:25.3, before using a :31-second final quarter to secure the win. Lets Leavem (Chris Christoforou) finished second, with Popeda (Sylvain Filion) third.
Gassien also trains, owns and bred the Majestic Son gelding, who enjoyed his sixth career tally. His bankroll now sits at $61,863. He paid $6.40 to win.
One race later, Sir William (Sylvain Filion) celebrated his second career victory due to disqualification of Rock Of Cashel (Alan Richardson).
Random Dynasty (James MacDonald) was the quickest to the lead and fronted the field past the opening quarter in :28.4 and the half in :59.3. Around the final turn, heavy favourite Ozzy Ozzy (Jody Jamieson) began the first-over attack, but Rock Of Cashel angled out of the pocket before three-quarters in 1:29.1. Turning for home, Rock Of Cashel had command while Ozzy Ozzy appeared to be trotting by, but made a break in stride due to interference. Rock Of Cashel quickly regained the lead to score the victory in 1:59.1.
Following the race, the Ontario Racing Commission judges ruled that Rock Of Cashel interfered with Ozzy Ozzy. As a result, Rock Of Cashel was placed from first to fifth. That allowed second-place finisher Sir William to inherit the win.
The son of Muscle Mass increased his bankroll to $38,439 for trainer Gerard Demers and owner Robert Montgomery. He paid a handsome $58.60 to win.
Later on the card, Ja El Pocketrocket (Doug McNair) won the first of the two pacing divisions.
The son of Santanna Blue Chip came from off-the-pace through panels of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.1, before wearing down the popular pacesetter Lyonsparkhavenlake (Sylvain Filion) in deep stretch to score in 1:55.2. Tauranga (Chris Christoforou) finished second, with Lyonsparkhavenlake third.
Trained by Barry Treen for owner Leonard Gamble, Ja El Pocketrocket earned his seventh career victory and his bankroll now sits at $77,510. He paid $6.10 to win as the second choice.
In the other split, Thorn In Your Side (Anthony MacDonald) went gate-to-wire in 1:52.1.
The son of Mach Three led through panels of :27, :55.3 and 1:23.1 en route to the three length victory over post time favourite Alexas Jackpot (Jody Jamieson), who closed from off the pace to finish second. Sea Harrier (James MacDonald) was third.
Trained by Carmen Auciello for owner High Stakes Inc., Thorn In Your Side earned his ninth career victory as his bankroll grew to $80,977. He paid $6.70 as the second choice.
All four Autumn Series finals for three-year-olds of both gaits and sexes will take place next Friday, Nov. 29.
In other action, driver Randy Waples suffered a leg injury when he was kicked by Memumsnotnice just prior to post time for race four. Waples booked off his remaining drives to get checked out at the hospital. With Billy Davis Jr. subbing in, the pacing mare went on to finish third behind winner Cheap N Easy (Jonathan Drury) and runner-up Kaptain Kelli (Keith Oliver) in a three-across finish.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)