It was anything but Autumn-like conditions at Woodbine Racetrack on Monday evening for the finals of the Autumn Stakes
. Heavily favoured Twin B Wrangler had no problem rolling over the rookie pacers he faced, and Calipari used a strong kick to trot past his sophomore rivals.
Twin B Wrangler led from start to finish for driver Keith Oliver, who guided the son of Mach Three-Stryper to the 1:54.3 score. The gelding was parked by Machs Beach Boy to the quarter pole in :28 before he took over command and ripped through middle panels of :57.4 and 1:26.1. A :28.2 final quarter sealed the deal for the favourite, who defeated Machs Beach Boy and Pansational en route to the biggest win of his career.
Trainer Travis Umphrey of Guelph shares ownership on the two-time winner with Mac Nichol of Burlington, ON and Derek Wilson of Okotoks, AB. The lion’s share of the $50,000 purse lifted his lifetime earnings to $55,410.
“Keith (Oliver) said he just wanted to stay out of trouble, which he did. He was a little lazy tonight to be honest, I mean the colt was not Keith,” Umphrey laughed. “He was lazy training this week. I think he is just learning what it's about. I was really happy with the way it
worked out.
“He is so athletic looking,” he added. “He is a tall, leggy colt and I think he is going to fill out some more over the winter. He has the gait and the attitude to be a nice horse down the
road, so hopefully he grows up over the winter.”
Calipari picked up a $30,000 payday thanks to his tally in the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Billy Davis, Jr. got away sixth with the son of Ken Warkentin-Sheena Hall, who watched P L Eureka park Hearthetrainacomin to the quarter pole in :27.4 before releasing him to the top. Hearthetrainacomin hit the half in :58.1, but Oaklea Trace sprinted past him going into the final turn. Oaklea Trace held a narrow lead over the first over Meadowview Arty at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.4, but both were sitting ducks for Calipari who was revving up from third over.
Calipari was show three-wide race track coming into the lane, and he used a :29-second closing panel to win by a length over race favorite Vimy Ridge in 1:57.3. P L Eureka came on late to grab the show dough.
Anette Lorentzon trains the gelding, who has stashed away $108,580, for ACL Stuteri AB of Paris, KY. The victory improved his 2011 record to 5-1-1 in 12 assignments.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better trip,” said Davis, Jr. following the win. “Two of the favourites were right in front of me. They both came first-up and second-over and I was glued right to Sylvain’s (Filion) helmet the whole time. I never had to show him air until the top of the lane and he had lots of go left down the stretch. I knew he was the winner at the top of the lane."
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.