After coming up with back-to-back second-place finishes in the preliminary legs of the Don Mills Series, P L Daley catapulted off cover to take home all the marbles in Monday’s $75,000 final at Woodbine Racetrack

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Chris Christoforou carved out a stalking trip for P L Daley, and that was just enough of an edge for the homebred gelding to haul home the hardware and a handsome payday of $37,500.

P L Daley, who was sent off at odds of 6-1, slid into fifth while Charlie Is A Joker hustled to the top and supplied the field with an opening quarter clocked in :28.1. Even-money favourite Run And Tell Pap popped out of the pocket entering the backstretch, and in a matter of strides he was in command of the tempo. Pressure was applied to the new leader, however, by Jessesjo who pressed that foe to the half in a :58-second clip.

Jessesjo hustled to the lead and proceeded to sprint to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1 – a move that left him vulnerable to a number of backfield challengers. Dukester was first over around the final turn, and tracking that one’s every move was P L Daley who commenced a move to the outside on the way to the mid-way point. Jessesjo was still in charge at the head of the lane, but he eventually got gobbled up. P L Daley swung off cover and used a :29.4 closing kick to win by half a length over Here Comes Numbers in a career-best 1:55.4. Jessesjo grabbed the show dough.

“I thought my horse was as good as any other horse in the race,” said Christoforou following the win. “I thought he had to draw well, which he did, but I thought if he was close enough at the head of the lane without being first-over he would be tough.

“He tends to get lost on the front,” Christoforou added. “He can race on the front if he has to, but I don’t think he’s at his best. Tonight’s trip really worked out well for him.”

Jeff Brooks trains the five-year-old son of Kadabra-Broadway Gal for Prince Lee Acres of Uxbridge, ON. The victory improved the homebred’s 2012 record to 2-3-0 in five starts, and it bettered his overall record to 6-4-0 from just 12 trips to the track. His lifetime cash stash climbed to $115,050 in the process.

(With quotes from WEG)

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.