Favourite Parade In Lifetime Dream Opener
Handicappers certainly did their homework when it came to figuring out the winners in Monday’s first round of the Lifetime Dream Trotting Series at Woodbine Racetrack, as all three $25,000 divisions went to pari-mutuel favourites.
Mojo N The Morning, fresh off her sweep of the Ontario Sired Autumn Series elimination and final, took the opening split for driver Jack Moiseyev in 1:59.2.
The Frank Colville-trained four-year-old daughter of Angus Hall parked past the opening quarter in :30.2 before brushing to the top and laying down fractions of 1:00.4 and 1:30.2 en route to the 1:59.2 score. Nashotah sat the pocket trip throughout and finished second while La Dolce rounded out the top three.
Joanne Colville of Moffat, ON holds the papers on the career winner of $91,080, who delivered as the 6-5 favourite.
Duchessofnorthyork, who was regarded as the 3-2 choice, went gate-to-wire in a time of 1:58.2 in her division for the duo of trainer Kevin McMaster and driver Luc Ouellette.
The four-year-old Duke Of York miss was in charge through panels of :28.4 and :59.1 before hooking up in a back half battle with Northern Flare, who prompted the leader to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.2. Duchessofnorthyork back that challenger, who had to settle for the runner-up award. Third prize went to Fa Mulan.
It was the fourth lifetime victory for Duchessofnorthyork, who has banked in excess of $72,000 for the partnership of Larry Murrell, North York Stables and McMaster Stables Inc.
Glide Sally Glide needed every inch of the racetrack to post a narrow 1:57.3 victory in the third division for the duo of trainer Brian Lee and driver Mario Baillargeon.
Baillargeon got away third with the four-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide, who watched Frenchfrysnvinegar throw down solid early fractions of :27.2 and :57.3. Glide Sally Glide edged off the rail at the mid-way point and pushed the leader to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.
The battle continued the length of the stretch, with Glide Sally Glide using a :29.2 final frame to deliver the knock out punch. Frenchfrysnvinegar fought a good fight but came up a head short. Scottish Cross closed well to finish third.
Winning as the 1-2 favourite, Glide Sally Glide picked up the seventh win of her career for Indiana partners Alan White and Doug Rideout. The mare has banked $87,652 to date.
Round two of the Lifetime Dream Trotting Series is scheduled for next Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with the $54,000 final slated for Monday, January 19.
To view Monday’s results, click here.