Next week’s Autumn Stake final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings figures to be an interesting tilt when you take into account the similar styles
of the elimination winners.
Lexis Amigo and Swordfish won as they pleased in their respective $25,000 eliminations on Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, and both horses delivered in gate-to-wire fashion.
Lexis Amigo chopped out fractions of :26.4, :57.1 and 1:27.4 for driver Mike Saftic, who used a :28.1 final frame to post a 1:56 win with the gelded son of Amigo Hall-Lexus Hall. It was more than three lengths back to runner-up J Cs Magic Man, and more than five lengths back to third-place finisher Mac Lennan. Smokin Dabra and No Doze, who were fourth and fifth respectively, will also advance to the final.
Norm Dunstan of Caledon East, ON owns, trains and bred Lexis Amigo, who is now a four-time winner in 13 starts this season. The trotter has stashed away more than $62,000 to date.
Luc Ouellette used a “catch me if you can” approach in the other elimination with Swordfish, who front-stepped through panels of :26.3, :55.1 and 1:25 en route to his 1:56.1 triumph over Delcrest Sonny and Mr Snoops. The final cheques went to Track Legal and Whatnblazes, who will also advance to next week’s final.
Phil Leclerc of Rockwood, ON owns and trains the son of Kadabra-Lady Wrestler, who was unraced as a rookie but has put together a 2-2-1 record in seven starts this season. The $12,500 payday bumped the gelding’s bankroll to $32,900.
The $46,600 final of the Autumn Stake for the three-year-old trotting colts and geldings is scheduled for next Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.
To view Monday’s harness racing results, click here.