Speaker Of Peace overcame longshot odds, the favourite and post eight to upset the field with a pocket trip to victory in the $34,000 Valedictory Series final for sophomore pacing colts and geldings at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
Speaker Of Peace and Bob McClure left from post eight on the search for the front. Mufferaw Joe (Phil Hudon) took command of the tempo as he left from post 10, leaving Speaker Of Peace to hold down the pocket spot en route to the quarter in :26.2 over the 'good' track. Amid a cloud of fog, Speaker Of Peace swept to the top before Come On Artie (Scott Young) assumed control. The half was reached in :56 before the next shuffle of order came about with Saulsbrook Ian (James MacDonald) taking over the lead. At the three-quarters in 1:23.3, Saulsbrook Ian continued in command with Speaker Of Peace landing in second on the outside. The pair battled down the lane and Speaker Of Peace pulled ahead at the wire to win by a half length in 1:51.1 over the favoured Saulsbrook Ian. Lets Go Jude (Tyler Borth) completed the triactor.
"I used him hard going to the quarter, but he can take that," said Bob McClure. "I got covered up by Scott, which was good, and when James came, I was lucky enough to get on his back and follow him for a while. When I moved him halfway down the lane, he had a lot left. He ran down a nice colt tonight. I wasn't surprised he won, but I wasn't expecting him to win."
McClure provided the winning drive for his uncle, William.
"He was a big part of starting me out so it's nice to pay him back a little bit," acknowledged McClure.
William McClure owns and trains the sophomore son of Artspeak-Im All In who earned a new mark in his third career victory and now has $72,540 banked from 22 starts in his debut season. Speaker Of Peace returned $24.90 to his backers.
The series was for non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.