The Tom Durand-trained Tall Cotton had hit the board in each of his last five starts going into Monday assignment at Woodbine Racetrack, but none of those on-the-board efforts were winning ones
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A bit of post position relief and some class relief helped him keep the streak of top-three finishes alive, but this time it was a winning effort for the five-year-old son of Revenue S-B Cor Peatra.
Tall Cotton and driver Jack Moiseyev tucked into an early five-hole in the $38,000 Preferred Trot while Kashs Caviar motored to the lead from Post 10. He had the field lined up behind him through early panels of :26.2 and :55.2, but he came under serious pressure around the final turn when Moiseyev gunned Tall Cotton first over.
Tall Cotton was a little more than a length away from Kashs Caviar at the three-quarter pole in 1:24.2, but he wrestled away the lead from his front-stepping foe in deep stretch and then dodged a deep stretch bullet when Friendly Amigo, who enjoyed a pocket-trip throughout the mile, made a costly miscue in the final strides. Tall Cotton held on to win by half a length over Friendly Amigo in 1:53.2. Kashs Caviar held on to finish third.
June Durand of Puslinch, ON shares ownership on the winning gelding with Ohioans Lynn Baker of Shreve and Catherine Baker of Cardington. The win improved Tall Cotton’s 2011 record to 4-5-1 in 18 starts. The lion’s share of the purse bumped his overall bankroll to $236,490.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.