The first qualifying session of March took place Thursday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack and although the temperature was quite chilly, there were several signs indicating spring is near.
The track was ‘Fast’ for the seven-pack of qualifiers that featured some good performances from several three-year-old pacers.
The third qualifier saw the first good showing from a sophomore, as J Js Delivery scored a 12 ½ length victory in 1:56.3 for driver Chris Christoforou. A son of Jeremes Jet, J Js Delivery cut the mile Thursday and finished up with a :28.1 last-quarter. Trained by Bill Robinson, J Js Delivery was making his first appearance of 2015 after winning two of nine starts last season and banking just over $30,000.
Three-year-old pacing filly Moonlit Dance finished second to J Js Delivery. The daughter of Art Major was also turning in her first line of the year. Last season, Moonlit Dance won one of five starts and earned just over $17,000. Her final start of the season was a fourth-place finish in a Champlain Stakes division at Mohawk. Now trained by Tony O’Sullivan, Moonlit Dance paced her mile Thursday in 1:59 for driver Randy Waples.
In the sixth qualifier, three-year-old pacing gelding Sports Image was first to the line in 1:58.4. Driven by Mario Baillargeon for his brother Ben, Sports Image got a two-hole trip and took the lead mid-way down the lane. The son of Sportswriter finished off his mile with a :28 final-quarter for the victory.
However, Read The Proposal almost tracked down Sports Image, as he came from fifth at the three-quarter pole to finish second by three-quarters of a length. A son of Bettors Delight, Read The Proposal paced an impressive-looking last quarter of :26.4 for driver Jonathan Drury and trainer Bill Cass.
Thursday’s qualifier was the second of the year for the unraced Sports Image, while it was the third of the year for Read The Proposal, who last raced on December 1 at Woodbine.
High-end overnight pacer Calgary Seelster turned in the quickest mile of the session. The Andrew McCabe trainee circled the oval in 1:54.4 for driver Jonathan Drury.
This was the second qualifier in a row for Calgary Seelster, who made his last start in the Preferred at Woodbine on January 10.
Qualifying action will take place again next Thursday (March 12) at 3:30 p.m.
A complete list of Thursday’s winners can be found below, while the complete charted lines from this week’s qualifiers can be viewed by clicking the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Qualifiers.
(WEG)