There is no shame in finishing second, but Bags For All and James MacDonald would like to avoid the three-peat in that department Monday night.

The Joe Cirasuola trainee Bags For All came into the General Brock Series riding a four-race win streak. Now entering Monday's $50,800 General Brock Series final at Woodbine, Bags For All has started a new streak, but not one to brag about.

The four-year-old trotting mare finished second in both the first and second legs of the three-week event for three- and four-year-old trotters.

However, the runner-up finishes have not been for a lack of effort.

In the first leg, driver James MacDonald put Bags For All on the front, but she just got beat at the wire by Bourbon Bay. The next week, MacDonald worked out a two-hole trip, but was out-sprinted in the lane by the leader Cash For Gold.

MacDonald said he changed his tactics up from the first to second leg, but it just didn’t work out.

“She kind of goes to sleep on the front and she’s not quite as good,” said MacDonald. “That’s why I let Mike Vanderkemp go easy last week, but then his horse (Cash For Gold) was just really good and we got out-sprinted.”

Although MacDonald has raced Bags For All near the front over her last three starts and had success, he noted her best performance came from the back.

“If you look at her lines, the day (January 16) I raced her from off-the-pace she came home in :27.3 and she was awesome.”

In the preliminary legs of the General Brock, MacDonald said things just worked out that the front was where he went, but that doesn’t mean the final will be the same.

“She drew bad and she’s got the gate speed and there was no real leavers. Every time I left with her I got there easy, I never really got roughed up too bad, so it was just a case of taking what they were giving me,” said MacDonald. “But in the final if I can work out a trip I think she will be better off.”

The two horses to defeat Bags For All have stamped themselves as the horses to beat in Monday’s final and both have good posts to start from. Bourbon Bay will look for the series sweep from post one, while Cash For Gold has drawn post six.

Bags For All will start between the two favourites from post three and MacDonald will be keeping a close eye on his top rivals.

“Cash For Gold was really good last week. Mike Vanderkemp was just sitting on him down the lane and we were flying right into the wind,” said MacDonald. “Saftic’s horse (Bourbon Bay) looked awesome in (1):54 last week and looks like definitely the one to beat.”

MacDonald is confident Bags For All can step out of the bridesmaid’s role and into the spotlight Monday night.

“She’s a nice mare and I think if I can work out a trip, she can win.”

$50,800 General Brock Final - Woodbine - Feb. 16 - Race 5
PP/Horse/Driver/Morning Line
1. Bourbon Bay – Mike Saftic (2-1)
2. Severus Hanover – Jody Jamieson (10-1)
3. Bags For All – James MacDonald (7-2)
4. Oaklea Wyatt – J.R. Plante (12-1)
5. Illseeuincourt – Trevor Henry (8-1)
6. Cash For Gold – Michel Vanderkemp (5-2)
7. Meadowview Vicky – Simon Allard (15-1)
8. Latoka – Phil Hudon (15-1)
9. Tellmehowyoulikeit – Anthony MacDonald (20-1)
10. Stuarts Dynasty – Mario Baillargeon (20-1)
AE: Musical Spell – Chris Christoforou (20-1)

To view the full card of entries for Monday at Woodbine, click the following link: Monday Entries - Woodbine Racetrack.

(WEG)