The majority of the betting money landed on Nowucit Nowudont in Monday’s $60,000 Autumn Stakes Final at Woodbine Racetrack for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, but at the end of the day the longshot players were hauling home their winnings in wheelbarrows thanks to a 30-1 upset by Windsong Ingenius.
Driver Mike Saftic, who was celebrating his birthday, guided Windsong Ingenius to the stakes record-setting performance from the dreaded ten-hole in the rich affair.
The son of Kadabra-Oaklea Ina rushed off the gate to get early position and he landed in the two-hole behind Tyrone Showstopper, who hustled the field past the quarter pole in :26.2 and the half-mile marker in :56.4. Nowucit Nowudont, who was sent off as the 2-5 favourite, brushed to the lead going into the final turn and he led the field to the three-quarter station in 1:26 with Windsong Ingenius hot on his heels from first over. Windsong Ingenius used a :28.3 closing kick to edge past Nowucit Nowudont by a head in the closing strides en route to the 1:54.4 score. Third prize went to Ima Magician Too, who completed the 1-2-3 finish for trotting sire Kadabra.
“He pulled me right out of there, we landed right in the two-hole, got covered up and everything worked perfect,” said driver Mike Saftic. “(Ducking back into the pocket) may have been the winning move. The favourite was on the front-end and I got a little breather on his back and got to ride it out.
“I really liked the way he was coming into (the final),” he added. “I got a little hemmed in last week, but he came home strong and it was a good race to set him up for the final.”
Shirley Halas of Northville, MI owns the gelding who won for the fifth time this season after going 1-for-6 last season. The $30,000 payday boosted the sophomore’s lifetime cash stash to $84,795.
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.