Solid Night For Saftic And Trotters
Driver Mike Saftic had a couple of very talented, not to mention very popular, trotters to team on Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack and both of them prevailed.
Armbro Chronicle clicked as the favourite in Monday's main event – the $50,000 Open Trot – and Enjoy The Caviar extended his undefeated streak to seven-in-a-row in his $26,000 conditioned assignment.
Armbro Chronicle, who drummed up 3-5 support from the wagering public, marched to the early lead and didn't look back en route to his 24th lifetime win.
The six-year-old son of Self Possessed, who hadn't raced since finishing third in the $728,600 Maple Leaf Trot on September 20, chopped out splits of :27, :55.4 and 1:24.3 for driver Mike Saftic before unleashing a :28.3 final frame for a mile clocked in 1:53.1.
Please Poppy turned in a sharp stretch rush to finish in the runner-up spot and San Pail took home the show dough in the eight-horse affair.
Trainer Kent Baker, who also co-owns the gelding with Cal Patterson, Randy Fielder and Wayne Smith, has watched his star student put away $406,928 in seasonal earnings. His lifetime total now sits at $853,692.
Enjoy The Caviar also used front-end tactics, and like Armbro Chronicle did, he didn't look back. The five-year-old son of SJs Caviar rolled the field through splits of :27.3. :57.2 and 1:26.1 before sprinting home in :28.4 for the 1:55 decision.
It was the seventh win for the gelding in as many tries, and the lion's share of the purse boosted his bankroll to $54,500 for owner/trainer Joanne Dawson of Stayner and her partner Holly Carr of Utopia, Ontario.
The Monday evening program also proved to be a profitable one for the trainer/driver tandem of Ben and Mario Baillargeon.
The brothers joined forces to win three races on the 11-race card.
They swept the Daily Double with Starsel (1:54) and First Impression (1:54) before clicking with Enny Youngman (1:55) in Race 6.
To view Monday's results, click here.