The betting public was all over the class dropping Nirvana Seelster in Saturday’s feature at Woodbine Racetrack, but Awesomeness flaunted some deep stretch toughness and upset the odds-on favourite.
Nirvana Seelster fired to the lead from Post 4 and after parking past the quarter pole in :26.2 he found his way to the pylons and proceeded to whack out middle fractions of :55 and 1:22.3. Awesomeness, who got away sixth in the early going, advanced first-over on the way to the half for driver Chris Christoforou. Awesomeness was third and driving on the rim as the field headed into the final quarter, and his closing speed clocked in :27.2 was enough to prevail by a head over Nirvana Seelster in 1:50.2. Mr Censi was third.
Michiel Vanderkemp trains the four-year-old son of Mach Three-Fancy A Dream for owner Martin Scharf of Lawrence, NY. The win was his eighth of the season and the 13th of his career. The lion’s share of the $25,000 purse boosted his bankroll to $246,400.
For the second time this week, trainer Richard Moreau celebrated a three-win performance at Woodbine Racetrack.
He accomplished the feat on Thursday, and did it again on Saturday’s card thanks to wins with Musselsfrmbrussels (1:52.2), Four Card Major (1:53.2) and Phoenix Warrior N (1:52.1).
Moreau now sits with 251 wins so far this season – just five wins shy of last year’s total. He’s racked up 5,283 lifetime wins and purses in excess of $48 million.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.