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Woodbine Racetrack hosted four Autumn Series finals on Friday evening, featuring sophomores of both gaits and sexes.
In the $34,700 final for pacing colts and geldings, Thorn In Your Side and Anthony MacDonald had a jump start on their rivals down the stretch to score in a career-best clocking of 1:51.
Thorn In Your Side fired off the gate, but allowed the oncoming Grantor Hanover (Randy Waples) to clear at the quarter in a quick :26-seconds flat. However, Thorn In Your Side quickly retook the lead and laid down middle-half speed of :55 and 1:22.2. MacDonald was in an all-out drive on Thorn In Your Side down the stretch to hold off the quick-closing Alexas Jackpot (Jody Jamieson), who got caught behind the stalled cover of Ja El Pocketrocket (Billy Davis Jr.) on the backside. Sea Harrier (James MacDonald) finished third.
Trained by Carmen Auciello for owner Michigan's High Stakes Stable Inc., Thorn In Your Side earned his 10th win and increased his lifetime earnings to $98,327. Thorn In Your Side finished first and second in both preliminary rounds. The Mach Three gelding paid $4.60 to win.
Machnbyrd Princess and Hall of Fame driver Steve Condren prevailed in a three-across finish in the $35,300 pacing filly final in 1:53.1.
Putmeintogo (Roger Mayotte) was the leader throughout most of the mile as she laid down panels of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:25.2. But Condren sent Machnbyrd Princess first over from third and moved within striking range of the tempo-setter turning for home. Down the stretch, Machnbyrd Princess, Putmeintogo and the pocket-pulling Lyonssweetie (Randy Waples) were all heads apart with Machnbyrd Princess getting the upper hand on her rivals in the final strides. Post time favourite Lyonssweetie finished second, with Putmeintogo completing the triactor.
Shawn Robinson trains the six-time winner for owner Canamerica Capital Corp. and Hyatt Holdings of Milton, Ont. The daughter of Mach Three increased her bankroll to $91,360. She paid $9.50 to win as the third choice.
Be Winnin, driven by Chris Christoforou, posted the 35-1 upset as she defeated heavy favourite Samira Hanover in deep stretch to take the $33,600 final for trotting fillies.
The daughter of Angus Hall sat in the pocket throughout the mile as Samira Hanover (Paul MacDonell) laid down panels of :27.4, :58.2 and 1:27.3. Be Winnin angled out in the stretch and wore down the tempo-setter in a two-horse breakaway to score in a new stakes record clocking of 1:55.4. Fathers Amiga (Mike Saftic) finished five and a half lengths behind in third.
Trained by Glenn Lalonde for Pennsylvania owner/breeder Bob Key, Be Winnin increased her bankroll to $55,448 as she celebrated her fourth career tally. The trotting lass took a new career mark in the process and returned $81.60 to her backers.
In the $33,600 trotting colts and geldings final, Popeda and Sylvain Filion posted a 5-1 minor upset in 1:55.3.
Popeda settled away fourth off the gate as heavy favourite Doubledown Gass (Reg Gassien) fired to command through a quick opening quarter of :26.4. Doubledown Gass continued to lead past the mid-way point in :56.4 with Popeda beginning a first over attack down the backstretch. Doubledown Gass maintained a short lead past three-quarters in 1:27, but Popeda surged by in the stretch with pocket-sitter Lets Leavem (Chris Christoforou) coming on for second, three-quarters of a length behind. Doubledown Gass settled for third.
Owned by Overseas Farms Ltd. of Campbellville, Ont. and trained by Richard Moreau, Popeda earned his fourth career victory as his lifetime earnings climbed to $58,676. The son of Ken Warkentin also took a new lifetime mark as he returned $13.60 to win.
The series is for Ontario-sired non-winners of $50,000 lifetime as of Sept. 30.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)