The middle qualifier during the five-dash offering on Friday, Nov. 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park featured an array of two-year-olds that, despite much different paths to the races, had them finishing all very close together.
There were six rookies in that third dash, with two homebreds and four yearlings ranging from $6,000 to $100,000 purchases.
One of those homebreds, Big Boy Malloy, tried to cut the mile for driver Brett MacDonald. After fractions of :32.1, 1:02.4 and 1:33, Big Boy Malloy fronted the field by nearly two lengths turning for home. Brady Hanover (Jody Jamieson) recovered well from a miscue at the opening quarter with a strong first-over attack around the far turn that towed Lil Sebastian (Jonathan Drury) into contention.
With Big Boy Malloy drifting out to provide room up the inside for The Dark Panther (Phil Hudon), and Brady Hanover and Lil Sebastian angled to the outside with Electric Line (James MacDonald) also flashing good late speed. At the finish, five horses were within a half-length of each other but Lil Sebastian got his nose on the wire first.
Brady Hanover was second by a nose with Big Boy Malloy third by a head. The mile was timed in 2:02.
The debuting Lil Sebastian (Betterthancheddar - Warrawee Limelight) is owned by Stephen Klunowski of North York, Ont. and trained by Shawn Steacy. He's a half brother to the consistent Woodbine overnight competitor Grand Poobah p,1:51s ($292,850).
The full replay from the Friday qualifiers is available below.
For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).