Rock N Roll Xample and Murrayfield came up just a bit short in their first-leg assignments in the Blizzard Series at Woodbine Racetrack one week ago, but they found their way to victory lane in their respective Friday evening tasks at Rexdale oval.
Rock N Roll Xample powered to an early lead from Post 9 for driver Randy Waples, who then caught some cover in the middle stages of the mile. Race favourite Miss Poppycock brushed to the top in the backstretch and led the field through middle intervals of :58 and 1:26.3, but she drifted off the rail in the lane and Rock N Roll Xample took advantage of that foe’s gaffe. Rock N Roll Xample drew clear to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Miss Poppycock in a career-best clocking of 1:56.2. My Victorino came on strong to finish third.
Shawn Robinson trains the three-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-R Xample for owner/breeder Bob Hamather of Exeter, Ontario. Sent off at odds of 4-1, Rock N Roll Xample won for the third time in her career while pushing her lifetime earnings to $16,340.
Murrayfield, who came up a neck short in last week’s effort, was much the best in tonight’s second division for the tandem of driver Keith Oliver and trainer Murray Brethour.
Oliver hustled the homebred to the top from Post 6 and the three-year-old daughter of Jeremes Jet-Keystone Liana successfully chopped out panels of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.2 en route to the 1:55.1 score. It was 1-1/4 lengths back to runner-up Lyonsaura, with Winbak Ella finishing a distant third.
Dr. Huw Llewellyn of Allenford, Ontario bred and owns the talented youngster who now boasts a 2-1-0 record from three starts in 2014. The five-time winner pushed her lifetime earnings over $50,000 with the win.
The $34,000 final of the Blizzard Series is scheduled for Friday, January 31 at Woodbine Racetrack.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.