Brave Alex Semalu continued his four-race streak of close finishes in Saturday night's $35,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Racetrack, but this time came out on top
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In Saturday's second race feature, Brave Alex Semalu and driver Randy Waples sat back in fifth amidst the strung out field of eight through early fractions of :27.4 and :56.2 before making his move.
The 9-5 favourite, who was 11 and half lengths off the leading Peenie (Billy Davis Jr.) at the half, began to advance first over picking off rivals as the field raced to three-quarters in 1:24 with Upfront Hoosierboy (Mario Baillargeon) following his cover.
Brave Alex Semalu continued to progress down the stretch with Upfront Hoosierboy rallying wide to make it a three-horse photo finish. However, it was Brave Alex Semalu who pushed ahead in the middle to prevail by half a length in 1:55.1. Peenie edged out Upfront Hoosierboy for second-place honours.
Brave Alex Semalu paid $5.90 for the victory. He completed an early Waples Daily Double, paying $14.50, and provided the reinsman with his second of four wins on the 12-race card.
In his four starts this year, the Ryan Maxwell-trained five-year-old has be right there at the finish to record two wins, one second and one third. He has banked $50,000 for his efforts.
Brave Alex Semalu was purchased for $50,000 last November at the Harrisburg Sale by Theresa Silva, Martin Scharf, Bramdeo Singh and John Polvinale.
The Yankee Cam-Signature Semalu gelding has earned over $230,000 lifetime while putting together a record reading 14-8-6 in 47 starts.
In other action, eight-year-old pacer Ruff Me Up earned his fifth straight win with a 1:54.2 front end effort in his 10th race conditioning-claiming assignment. Billy Davis Jr. drove the grey Real Artist-April Ruffles gelding to the one length tally over Ideal Race (Chris Christoforou) and Wild Dragon (Sylvain Filion) for trainer Joseph Cirasuola and owner Shirley Halas. Overlooked by the betting public, the $200,000 earner paid $20.60 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.