The Jackpot Hi-5 swelled to nearly $100,000 and went unclaimed with no winning tickets after a string of longshots led the way across the wire in the Friday night finale at Woodbine Racetrack.
Beach Goddess, sent off as the 5-1 third choice, assumed command past the half-mile mark with 2-1 second favourite Party Beach tracking her every move into the stretch. However, Beach Goddess broke stride and Party Beach was swarmed by the late-closers. Diamondtoothgertie, a 66-1 longshot, struck the front in the stretch with 22-1 shot Traffic Jam motoring by late for the half-length victory in 1:53.4. Fading Shadow (11-1) and Nasty Rumor (20-1) finished third and fourth, respectively, ahead of Party Beach. Even-money favourite Mach The Cut broke stride in the outer flow on the final turn.
Phil Hudon drove the winner, a three-year-old Artiscape filly, for trainer Martin Lachance and owners Lachance Racing Stable and Dragon Racing Inc. Traffic Jam earned her second consecutive victory and fourth on the year from 18 starts, returning $47 to win.
With no one able to crack the winning combination of 9-10-1-5-4, the Jackpot Hi-5 carryover climbed to $95,883.90 for Saturday's card.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.