More Autumn Series Splits
Once again, Woodbine Racetrack played host to more Autumn Series divisions. Three-year-old colt pacers and trotters headlined the Friday evening program as five $15,000 divisions were contested.
Two divisions were contested for trotters, while a trio of divisions lined up for pacers in the opening round.
In the trotting divisions, Lets Leavem and Pretty Boy found the wire first.
Lets Leavem, driven by Chris Christoforou got under the wire in 1:56.3 to take the latter half of the early double.
The son of Angus Hall sat in the pocket through panels of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:27.1, before angling to the outside down the stretch en route to victory. Alexander Lukas (Anthony MacDonald) finished second at 45-1 with Random Dynasty (James MacDonald) third.
Trained by Shawn Robinson for owner Linda Loyens, Lets Leavem celebrated his second career score as his bankroll climbed to $32,190. He paid $11 to win.
The same tactics were used once again in the following dash as Pretty Boy and Mario Baillargeon enjoyed a pocket trip before finding the wire first.
The son of Muscle Mass sat comfortably in the two-hole through fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:27, before Baillargeon showed his charge open road down the stretch and Pretty Boy did the rest as he scored in 1:56.4. Temp-setter Doubledown Gass (Reg Gassien) finished second with Mo Dhabi (Chris Christoforou) third.
Trained by Larry Walker and owned by Gresta Limited, Pretty Boy earned his third career tally as his lifetime earnings grew to $23,925. He paid $15.90 to win.
On the pacing side, Grantor Hanover, Alexas Jackpot and Southwind Amazon scored victories in their respective divisions.
In the first division, Grantor Hanover and Doug McNair clicked in 1:52.2
McNair guided the son of Camluck to a two-hole ride through panels of :27, :56 and 1:23.4, before upsetting heavily-favoured Trys Little Prince (Paul MacDonell) to notch his third career victory. Bad Fox (Billy, Davis. Jr.) finished third.
Trained and co-owned by McNair’s father, Gregg, along with Paul Kidd and Bloomingwood Farms Ltd, Grantor Hanover increased his bankroll to $55,254. He paid $18.30 to win.
Alexas Jackpot and James MacDonald took the next division with a 1:52.1 victory.
MacDonald and the son of Million Dollar Cam came from behind through fractions of :27.1, :56.3 and 1:24.2, before wearing down tempo-setter Lyonsparkhavenlake (Sylvain Filion) in deep stretch. Tauranga (Chris Christoforou) finished third after enjoying a pocket trip.
Alexas Jackpot celebrated his fourth career score for trainer Marty Fine, who co-owns with Highland Thoroughbred Farm. The gelding increased his lifetime earnings to $36,775 and paid $3.80 to win as the favourite.
In the final division, Southwind Amazon and Mike Saftic lit up the tote board at 29-1.
Saftic guided the son of Camluck into the three-hole through panels of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:25.2, before receiving clear racetrack down the stetch en route to a 1:52.3 score. Heavily-favoured Thorn In Your Side (Jonathan Drury) finished second with Ja El Pocketrocket (Doug McNair) third.
Trained by Gregg McNair for owner Jarold Hawks, Southwind Amazon increased his career earnings to $111,584. The seven-time winner paid $60.60 to win.
To view the charts from Friday night's card of harness racing at Woodbine Racetrack, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
(with files from WEG)