After a convincing open-length score in round one, Oh A Legend was back for more in leg two of the Blizzard Series, capturing the first $18,000 division in a romp before Absolution pulled a mild 9-2 upset in the second division on Thursday (Jan. 23) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Oh A Legend (pictured above) left as the 1-9 favourite from the far outside post in the field of seven three- and four-year-old pacing fillies and mares who were non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2024.
Driver Tyler Borth gave Oh A Legend her marching orders off the gate, wheeling to the outside of 28-1 shot Stag Royal (Scott Young) to lead to the quarter in :28.3.Oh A Legend cleared to the lead on the backstretch, pacing to the halfway point in :58.2 before reaching three-quarters alone on the lead in 1:27.3. Quickly opening up turning for home, Oh A Legend and a motionless Borth powered clear by 4-1/2 lengths on the wire, scoring in 1:56.4. Cocco Puff Power (Doug McNair) closed for second, Space Cadebt (Michael Whelan) rallied for third at 23-1.
Trained by Christopher Bush, the red-hot Oh A Legend has won two of three to start her four-year-old campaign, and won six of her last eight outings overall. Owned by Bernie Klacer and Bush Racing, the daughter of Bit Of A Legend-O Narutac Rockette has banked $90,941 lifetime, having won eight of 25 career outings.
In the second division, Absolution used much different tactics as she rallied from well off the pace in the final stanza to score with driver Phil Hudon.
Leaving from post two in the field of seven, Hudon floated Absolution away in fifth early as Chasin Rainbows (Tyler Jones) battled to the inside of Dirty Diana (Trevor Henry) to cut the first-quarter in :29.1. Dirty Diana cleared on the backstretch as the 1-2 favourite, leading to the half in 1:00 before Ontop Rainstorm (Michael Whelan) raced first-up to the leader's wheel at three-quarters in 1:29.2. Turning for home third-over and behind gapping cover, Absolution swung wide and stormed home, quickly gobbling up the field before pacing 2-1/4 lengths clear on the line in 1:59. Dirty Diana held tough for the place position, Whiskey Blue Chip (Mario Baillargeon) rallied from the backfield for third.
Joanne Colville and Nancy MacNevin's homebred four-year-old daughter of Mcwicked-Bet Ya is trained by Jack Moiseyev. The victory was the third in just the 10th career start for the lightly raced Absolution, who has banked now $34,600 in her career.
The final for the Blizzard Series is slated for Friday, Jan. 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park with a $30,000 Added purse.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)