Two-year-olds found themselves in the spotlight Thursday evening at Woodbine Racetrack as the Autumn Series got underway for trotting and pacing colts and geldings.
The trotters were up first, and One Direction captured his $14,000 assignment in 1:58.3 for trainer/driver Dustin Jones. The son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Angelina Chip took turns on the lead with Numbers Game before disposing of that foe in deep stretch. The colt drew clear to win by 5-3/4 lengths over Numbers Game, with In Secret a distant third.
Ernst Gerbaulet of Recklinghausen, Germany bred and owns the rookie who won for the first time in five tries.
Olympic Son was sent off as the 2/5 favourite in second division, and the Paul Reid pupil didn’t disappoint his backers. Trevor Henry hustled the colt to the lead and laid down fractions of :28.3, :59.3 and 1:30.2 before summoning up a :29.4 closing quarter to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Baudron in 2:00.1. Taking home the show dough was William Star.
The son of Majestic Son-Graceful Sister is a homebred owned by Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania. The victory improved the freshman’s record to 3-1-3 from eight trips to the track. The $7,000 payday bumped his bankroll to $41,420.
Namesmuscle survived a Judges` inquiry to capture the final division in 1:59.1. The recently-purchased son of Muscle Mass-Names Agnes was treated to a ground-saving trip throughout the mile, and when room opened up at the rail in the lane the colt snuck through to win by a nose in 1:59.1 over Muscles All Over. Third prize was earned by Jayport All Muscle.
The ORC Judges reviewed the final turn of the race, however, to determine if Namesmuscle violated the pylon rule. As it turns out, the trotter went inside a single pylon and it wasn’t a violation of the racing rules.
John Patterson of Bayfield, Ontario purchased the colt out of last weekend’s Fall Extravaganza Mixed Sale for $20,500 and turned the youngster over to trainer Mike Brealey. It was a maiden-breaking score for the freshman who pushed his earnings to $22,000.
The pacers were up next, and Sugarsam won as he pleased in his $14,000 assignment for the tandem of driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Corey Johnson. The 4/5 favourite took over the lead past the quarter pole and led the group through middle splits of :55.4 and 1:25.2. A :29-second closing quarter earned the gelding the win by three-quarters of a length over His Boy Elroy in 1:54.2. J Js Delivery escaped late to finish third.
The victory was the fourth of the season for the homebred who is owned by Sotirios Anastasopoulos of Sainte-Therese, Quebec. The $7,000 payday boosted his cash stash to $25,475.
Machnificent notched his first-ever victory with his 1:55.4 score in the second division for trainer/driver Roger Mayotte. The son of Mach Three-Remis Rocket sat fifth through the first three-quarters of the mile before using a :28.1 closing panel to win by half a length over Midnight Play. Frankie Boy rounded out the top three finishers.
Just In Time Stable, The Fine Whine Stable and Big Als Stables Inc share ownership on the lightly-raced youngster who was making just his second lifetime start.
Halton Hurricane split horses in deep stretch and took home top prize in the third division. Jody Jamieson wiggled through traffic in deep stretch to win by half a length over Antar Phil in 1:56.2. The show dough went to Art Of Luck.
Robbie Robinson of Metcalfe, Ontario owns and trains the son of Santanna Blue Chip-Shes Beachy. The win improved the juvenile's record to 2-4-1 from 11 tries and it pushed his lifetime earnings to $23,100.
Robert Hill prevailed in the final division for the duo of driver James MacDonald and trainer Tony Alagna. The son of Jeremes Jet-Smooth Latin N tracked cover before kicking home in :29.2 to win by half a length over Regal Sight in 1:55.4. Strong Profile rounded out the Triactor ticket.
Tom Hill of Lancashire, England owns the three-time winner, who is quickly closing in on $40,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.