The $18,000 featured events on the ten-race program at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday, November 9 were claimed by Tuxedo Bay and Fondue, winning in 1:54.4 and 1:57.4 respectively.
In the pace, Tuxedo Bay sat the pocket through a :28.1 opening quarter before commandeering the field into the backstretch. Leading through splits of :56.4 and 1:26, the Mark Steacy trainee coasted to the line under no pressure, winning by four lengths over Zampara and Rebellious, who finished second in a dead-heat.
A three-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Dream Away mare Spring Break, Tuxedo Bay, owned by Mark Steacy and Bertrand Gilhespy Stable, won his third race in 23 starts, earning $68,185. Driven by James MacDonald, he paid $7.00 to win.
Fondue won as the odds-on favourite in the trotting division, winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:57.4.
Getting away fourth, Fondue stalked a tempo of :29.1 and :58.4 set by Stellas Boy and Zlatan contesting for the front. With Zlatan grabbing control before the half, Fondue made his first-over move around the final turn, drawing alongside leader Zlatan at three-quarters in 1:28.1 and soon brushing to the front into the stretch. Fondue coasted clear of Gravitator, who rode her cover to take second, and Wesmont, who rallied off a rail trip for third.
Owned by Charalambos Christoforou and Banjo Farms, Fondue, a three-year-old filly by Muscle Hill out of the Kadabra mare Fly To The Moon, won her seventh race in 14 starts, earning $67,260. Trained by Per Henriksen and driven by Chris Christoforou, she paid $3.20 to win.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.