Mambo Italiano splashed his way to victory in Friday night’s $60,000 Ontario Spring Series final for three-year-old colts and geldings with a 1:54.1 tally over a sloppy Woodbine racing oval

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Paul MacDonell engineered the winning effort with the son of Modern Art - Killer Queen, who sprinted from fourth to first in the second quarter of the race after a half in :56.3. Once on top, he was able to fend off all rivals including a furious late rally from Broadies Song (Rick Zeron), who just edged out High Net Worth (Paul MacKenzie) for the place spot.

Mambo Italiano was overlooked by the betting public and returned $25.20 for the win while triggering a triactor worth $1,034.10.

“He’s a physically tough horse,” said MacDonell. “I knew that he [Mambo Italiano] wouldn’t be pinning his ears like some of the other ones were out there in that wind and rain. The wind was pretty hard in the backstretch and I wondered if it might takes its toll. I wasn’t sure how fresh the ones behind him were. I tried to steal a couple of lengths on the last turn and I guess it worked out.”

The victory was the second in 13 outings this season for the winner, who is trained by David Menary for owner Joseph Trice of Hampden, Maine. The winner’s share of the purse elevated his seasonal bankroll to just over $65,000.

For full reaction from driver Paul MacDonell, visit the video section of
the WEG website by clicking here.

Earlier on the card before the track was downgraded to sloppy, MacDonell also guided Arts Diva to victory in the $38,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace.

MacDonell fired Arts Diva to the top from the outermost Post 6 in a spiffy :25.4 opener. The Ken Sucee pupil, who was sent postward as the 5-2 second choice, went unchallenged as she paced past the remaining stations of :54.2 and 1:22.4. The five-year-old daughter of Art Major-Caliterra built up a 5-3/4 length lead, which allowed her to coast to the finish line in 1:50.4 for her first win in three seasonal starts.

Canada's 2009 Older Pacing Mare of the Year, Dreamfair Eternal (Randy Waples), rallied from last to place with a :26.4 final frame in her 2010 debut, finishing three lengths in arrears. Voelz Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) was third.

Arts Diva paid $7.00 to win. She is owned by Brian Legge of North York and Dr. David Legge of Ajax, ON. Her 12th career win lifted her earnings to $519,875.

To view Friday's results, click here.

(With files from WEG)