A trio of $20,000 divisions of the Blizzard Pacing Series for three-year-old fillies and four-year-old mares kicked off the 2009 season at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday afternoon, and it proved to be a tough day for the favourites.
Artists Dynasty used an eye-catching rally to take home top prize in the opening split for the duo of trainer Murray Brethour and driver Randy Waples.
Waples was in no hurry with the Real Artist filly, sat fifth and parked past to the quarter pole before taking a brief tuck at the rail. She got underway at the mid-way point and put heavy pressure on the heavily favoured leader, Golden Charm, around the final turn.
The pair was together at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.2 before Waples dropped his charge into another gear. Artists Dynasty kicked away to win by more than two lengths in a time of 1:54.3. Tracys Song was second best and Astreos Delight finished third.
Brethour shares ownership on the career winner of $22,125 with partners Donald Varcoe and Noblock Racing Stable.
B M MCW needed every inch of the racetrack to pull off a 7-1 upset in the second division in a time of 1:55.1 for the team of trainer Mick Grant and teamster Luc Ouellette.
The four-year-old Mcardle miss tracked down race even-money favourite Katpandu in the final strides. Keystone Wendy was third.
Owned by 1187422 Ontario Inc. of Gloucester, ON, the mare pushed her overall earnings to $72,108 with the win.
Village Bolero front-stepped her way to a 1:54.4 victory in the final division for driver Rick Zeron, who rolled the Murray Brethour pupil through panels of :26.4, :56.4 and 1:26.
She used a :28.4 final frame to fend off runner-up Onehotvett, who fell a head short with her stretch rally. Designated Leader, who was sent off as the 4-5 choice, had to settle for the show dough despite sitting a perfect pocket trip.
Village Bolero, a four-year-old daughter of The Panderosa, won for the fourth time in her career for owner/breeder Charles Armstrong of Brampton, ON. She has banked $67,588 to date.
The second leg of the Blizzard Pacing Series is scheduled for next Thursday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with the $43,000 (est.) final slated for Thursday, January 15.
To view Thursday’s results, click here.