Favourites Shine In Valedictory Opener
Odds-on favourites Bee Two Bee and Cold Creek Cabo dominated the opening round of the Valedictory Pacing Series, which kicked off with a pair of $17,000 divisions on Friday night (December 11) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The series is for three-year-old colts and geldings that were non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of October 31.
ICR Racing's homebred colt Bee Two Bee buzzed to a career-best 1:51.2 victory in the first and fastest division of the night, with Scott Coulter driving for trainer Craig Gilmour.
Outsider Big Sir (Trevor Henry) fired across the track to establish the early lead heading to the first turn, but even-money favourite Bee Two Bee looped around that foe after the :26.4 quarter and reached the half in :55.1.
On the way to three-quarters in 1:23, the bettors' choice expanded his lead by more than six lengths while Windemere Frank (Jonathan Drury) went first-up with Scootnroll (Doug McNair) following the cover.
Building up an insurmountable lead turning for home, Bee Two Bee cruised to the finish, with 7-5 second choice Scootnroll closing off cover and narrowing his winning margin to one length. David Lloyd George (James MacDonald), the longest shot on the board at 57-1, edged out 24-1 shot Windemere Frank (Jonathan Drury) for show money.
Bee Two Bee returned $4.10 to win.
The Sunshine Beach-Bee Fullof Steinam colt notched his fifth win in 22 starts this year and eighth victory lifetime.
Cold Creek Standardbred's Cold Creek Cabo led all the way in the 1:52.1 second split, finishing two lengths in front of Harvest Series champ and 2-1 second choice Beyond Better.
Jody Jamieson guided the 3-2 favourite through fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.2 before turning for home with a 4-1/2-length lead. Cold Creek Cabo sprinted a :26.4 final frame to keep clear of his competition and record a sixth win in the 17th start of his debut season.
William Slack trains the Dali-Tymal Black Satin gelding, who paid $5 to win.
After following in third throughout, Beyond Better (Trevor Henry) headed pocket-sitter What The Luck (Bob McClure) as they crossed the finish line.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.