It was a trot-heavy program offered Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, as three- and four-year-olds sparred in round one of the General Brock Series and older square gaiters slugged it out in the $34,000 Preferred.
It was chalk city in the General Brock as Hillsonator and Musical Rhythm came through for an army of backers in their respective assignments.
First up was Hillsonator, who trounced his foes by four lengths in a time of 1:56.3.
Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, the four-year-old son of Muscle Hill-Wilsonator shot to the top from Post 6 and never looked back after posting panels of :26.3, :57.2 and 1:28.4. A :27.4 kicker helped the gelding kick away from runner-up Angels Kid and third-place finisher Muscles All Over in the $18,000 affair.
Rick Zeron guided the Rob Fellows student to the win for partners Michael Pozefsky of Saratoga Springs, NY and Edward Wilson of Seagrave, ON. The six-time winner, who is a perfect 4-for-4 this year, lifted his overall cash stash to $60,380 with the win
Musical Rhythm, who also went off at odds of 1-9, brushed to the front at the half and drew clear to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:56.1 for Team Baillargeon.
With Mario Baillargeon at the lines for trainer Ben Baillargeon, the four-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Musical Victory crossed into the three-hole when the gate sped away, but he popped to the outside in the second quarter and worked his way to the top at the half in :57.2. He was in command to the three-quarter pole in 1:27.4 before firing home in :28.2 to seal the deal over All B Over and Demand An Answer.
Ben Baillargeon co-owns the streaking performer with Claude Hamel, Santo Vena and Nunzio Vena. It was the fourth straight score for the 11-time winner. The $9,000 payday pushed his career earnings to $116,121.
In Secret used last-second heroics to pull off a 21-1 upset in the $34,000 Preferred Handicap.
Chris Christoforou had the gelding sitting sixth for the first three-quarters of the contest while race favourite Fearless Man was allowed to free wheel on the lead through fractions of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:25.2. In Secret, who was a third-over sixth heading into the final quarter of the contest, charged off cover late and uncorked a closing panel of :27.3 to prevail by a neck over Fearless Man in 1:54.1. Zeus Lightning was a bang-up third.
Per Henriksen trains the four-year-old son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Secret Magic for Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc of Lakefield Gore, QC and Asa Farm of Norwood, ON. It was the second win of the season – and the seventh to date – for the career winner of $118,710.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.