Driver Scott Zeron and trainer Richard Moreau have commanding respective leads in the driver and trainer standings on the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit as action switches back to Woodbine Racetrack.
Zeron, a resident of Oakville, currently has 229 WEG victories this season, 31 more than his closest rival, Sylvain Filion.
Zeron, who was a finalist for the O’Brien Award as Canada’s top driver for the past three seasons, finished third in the standings last year behind Filion and Jamieson, who tied for the win.
“There really isn’t any better feeling than being the top driver at any track, let along Woodbine/Mohawk,” Zeron said. “I’m driving against guys that I’ve idolized since I was 12 years old and I’m fortunate enough to have a great support system that provides me with quality horses on a nightly basis.
“As much as I focus on maintaining the lead, all I can do is show up every night and try to get into the winner’s circle as much as possible,” Zeron continued.
The talented reinsman, who led the WEG driver standings with 123 victories when the spring meet at Woodbine concluded, is hoping to continue where he left off.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Woodbine and excited to make the most of the remaining months of the year,” Zeron said.
The 24-year-old has 2,172 career tallies to his credit and is approaching $30-million in purse earnings.
Moreau has also separated himself from his rivals in the training standings. The Puslinch resident has 111 victories this season, 46 more than nearest rival, Jeff Gillis.
The veteran conditioner, who has been a mainstay on the WEG circuit for the last decade, celebrated the biggest win of his career this season as Boomboom Ballykeel captured the $683,000 Metro Pace at Mohawk Racetrack.
Moreau, who was a finalist for Canada’s trainer of the year in 2012, has 4,214 lifetime victories to his credit along with over $34-million in purse earnings.
The Woodbine Fall-Winter-Spring Standardbred Meet is now a three-day-a-week schedule, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, through December.
Following its Saturday, December 28 card, Woodbine will be ‘dark’ until Monday, January 6, when a Monday-Friday-Saturday night schedule through March, is launched.
First-race post time is 7:25 p.m.
The special Thursday, December 26 Boxing Day card is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
(WEG)