Two-year-olds were featured in the Autumn Finals on Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack with Sweetie Hearts and Aventure completing series sweeps of the trotting divisions.
The series, which is for Ontario-sired non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of Sept. 20, 2013, consisted of two preliminary legs and tonight's finals.
Driven by Mario Baillargeon, Sweetie Hearts romped to a career-best 1:57 four and a half length victory in the $27,700 final for freshman trotting fillies.
Sweetie Hearts worked her way to the lead after a pair of early leavers traded turns on the front end through a :28-second opening panel. The 1-2 favourite cleared at the :57.3 half and began to open up on the field past the 1:27.1 third quarter station and down the homestretch. Longshot Audrey Pearl (James MacDonald) came from last to place, edging out second choice Torches Star (Steve Condren).
Ron Parsons trains the homebred Angus Hall-Sweetheart K filly, who has now won half of her eight starts, for Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania. The favourite paid $3 to win.
Aventure advanced first over and capitalized off a break made by the leader en route to a 1:58 triumph in the $28,200 final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Hitchin A Ride (Jack Moiseyev) carved out fractions of :28, :58.1 and 1:27.2 before jumping it off at the head of the lane. Underway first over from mid-pack, Aventure and driver Sylvain Filion edged by the pocket-sitting Wire Me Cash (Anthony MacDonald) and kicked home for the one and three-quarter length victory. He paid $4.80 to win as the slight 7-5 second choice. Theresademoninme (Steve Condren) followed the winner's cover to place nearly two lengths behind while post 10 starter Sas Warkentin (Larry Small), the longest shot on the board at odds of 142-1, rounded out the top three finishers.
William Budd trains the Muscle Mass-Linas Lottery gelding for Orville Rursch of Taylor Ridge, Illinois. He has now won four times in 12 career starts.
With Keith Oliver in the sulky, Prince Clyde turned in a stakes record 1:52.1 victory as the favourite in the $31,000 final for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
After recovering from a break in stride to finish third in the opening leg of the series and winning his round two division, Prince Clyde was the 7-5 bettors' choice and paid $4.80 to win the final.
Prince Clyde settled away fourth early on through fractions of :26 and :55 before brushing to command and reaching the third quarter station in 1:23.1. He widened his leading margin down the lane while Concert Artist (Chris Christoforou) and longshot Major Starlight (Paul MacDonell) closed from the back of the pack for second and third. The final winning margin was two and a quarter lengths.
Tony Montini trains the Camluck-Tymal Princess colt for his wife Albina and the Holland Racing Stable of Aurora, Ont. Prince Clyde in now five-for-12 in his young career.
Regally Ready and driver Doug McNair pulled off a 20-1 surprise in the $29,700 final for two-year-old pacing fillies, winning in a career-best 1:54.1 for trainer Gregg McNair and owner Hutt Racing Stable of Paoli, Pennsylvania.
The Royal Mattjesty-Jodi St Laurent filly sat near the back of the field through fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.3 before tipping third over around the final turn and springing into action. She weaved inside horses down the stretch to prevail while second over Artful Impulse (Randy Waples) rallied off the cover of Stellllllla (Scott Zeron) to finish three-quarters of a length behind the winner in second.
Earning just her second career win in 12 starts, Regally Ready returned $43.40 to her backers.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.