Round Two of the General Brock Series went postward Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with $18,000 divisions going to the heavily-favoured tandem of Musical Rhythm and Demand An Answer.
Musical Rhythm extended his winning streak to five-in-a-row thanks to his gate-to-wire score in 1:54 for Team Baillargeon.
Mario Baillargeon put the four-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Musical Victory on the lead right from the outset, and they led the group through fractions of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.3 before using a :28.2 kicker to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Hillsonator. Amityville Lindy was a well-beaten third.
Sent off as the 1-2 choice, Musical Rhythm is now 3-for-3 this season after going 6-for-14 in 2015. Trainer Ben Baillargeon shares ownership on the career winner of $125,121 with partners Santo Vena, Nunzio Vena and Claude Hamel.
Sylvain Filion took the same approach to capture the opening division with Demand An Answer in 1:56.2. The 4-5 favourite marched to the lead from Post 6 and led the group through intervals of :26.2, :56.2 and 1:26.3 before kicking home in :29.4 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Five Below. Rounding out the top three finishers was Love Hunter.
Shane Arsenault of Waterdown, Ont. owns and trains the four-year-old son of Angus Hall-Paige Seelster. The gelding, who was third in last week’s opening leg of the series, won for the first time this season in six attempts. The four-time winner lifted his career earnings to $62,690 with the win.
The $50,000 final of the General Brock Series is scheduled for Monday, February 22 at Woodbine Racetrack.
Fearless Man also posted a front-stepping score in Monday’s $34,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Racetrack.
Trainer/driver Rick Zeron sped to the motor with the six-year-old son of Elegant Man-Lasting Beauty, and together they never looked back after posting panels of :27, :56 and 1:24.2. A :28.3 final frame was enough for the gelding to hold off the pocket-sitting Zeus Lightning by a half-length margin in 1:53. Windsun Revenge tagged along to finish third.
Sent off as the odds-on choice in the six-horse affair, Fearless Man improved his 2015 record to 2-2-1 from five assignments for the partnership of Rick Zeron Stables, Noblock Racing Stable, Murray Greenfield and Cool Cat Racing Inc. The 24-time winner upped his overall cash stash to $423,811 with the win.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.