Woodbine Racetrack will tonight host its final program prior to the annual Christmas break, and the feature will be a pair of $20,000 divisions in the second leg of the
Niagara Pacing Series for three-year-old fillies.
The series, which was open to non-winners of $50,000 as of October 31 of this year, has drawn a total of 16 fillies for tonight’s second round.
In the opening split (Race 1), Bad Noble will try and rebound from her first career loss which came in last week’s opening leg. The daughter of Badlands Hanover made a break in stride before the start and was unable to recover, snapping her undefeated streak at five.
This week, Bad Noble will start from Post 1 with Jonathan Drury picking up the drive for his father, Barry, who recently took over training. She has been enlisted as the 2-1 morning line favourite.
Her main rival is expected to be Mid Western Jatelo, who finished second in round one, which was contested over a 'sloppy' Woodbine oval. New trainer David Menary has enlisted the services of driver Paul MacDonell this week and the daughter of Jate Lobell will start from Post 2 as the 5-2 second choice.
The second split (Race 2) will feature a showdown of two fillies who are trying to extend win streaks.
Thrillionaire, who scorched Woodbine in 1:51.2 to win the final of the Autumn Stakes on December 4, was a dominant three-length winner in last week’s first leg for catch-driver Sylvain Filion. Regular pilot Mario Baillargeon is back on board this time from Post 6 behind the overwhelming 4-5 morning line choice.
Starting just inside of Thrillionaire from Post 5 will be Balasun, who skipped last week’s opening leg. The daughter of The Panderosa is currently riding a three-race win streak and has won eight of her 20 starts overall this season.
The filly, who was a recent private purchase by prominent Pennsylvania owner Larry Baron, will debut tonight for new trainer Zaim Cunmulaj. She will be handled by driver Anthony MacDonald and has been installed as a 3-1 second choice in the morning line.
First post for Monday’s program is 7:20 p.m. Both divisions will be part of the live coverage on Race Night on The Score, which airs from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
It will mark the final edition of Race Night for 2009. The Score will air WEG’s annual Year In Review twice over the holiday season; Sunday, December 27 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 3 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Woodbine will be open for simulcasting on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week but will be dark on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Live racing resumes with a special Boxing Day program on December 26. First-race post time is at 1:20 p.m.
To view the harness racing entries for tonight's live card from Woodbine, click here.
(WEG)