Many horsepeople can attest to the fact that an outside post at Woodbine Racetrack usually means your charge is in for a long night. Although, when that outside starting spot is Post 5 it tends to makes things just a wee bit better
.
That was the case Saturday, January 29 in the $30,000 Preferred Pace. The horse which started from Post 5 was none other than the seven-year-old Camluck gelding Stonebridge On Ice who went out and put his best effort forward for trainer Gregg McNair and driver Mike Saftic. Both horsemen also own the bay along with Leonard Gamble of Etobicoke, Ont.
Saftic and Stonebridge On Ice battled their way to the opening quarter in :27.1 before letting a pair of combatants go to the lead. Ideal Race (driven by Doug McNair) cut the opening half-mile in :55.1.
Saftic sent his charge first-up into the final turn and was in contention for the lead at the 1:23.3 three-quarters pole.
With Saftic utilizing subtle, yet effective urging through the lane, Stonebridge On Ice got up for a well-executed win. The margin of victory was one length and the time of the mile was a solid 1:51.4.
To view the charted results from Woodbine’s Saturday card, click here.