Smashbox got all she could handle as the prohibitive favourite in Friday’s second leg of the Ontario Girls Pacing Series at Woodbine Racetrack, but the four-year-old daughter of Mach Three - Sunone delivered for driver Rick Zeron in 1:53
.
Leaving from Post 2 in the single $20,000 division, Smashbox got away fourth in the field of 10 and watched as Cats Meow (Randy Waples) and Keepers Destiny (Mark MacDonald) exchanged leads through the opening half of :55.2. Zeron brought his charge to the outside in the third quarter and challenged Keepers Destiny at the third panel in 1:23.3.
At head stretch, Smashbox still had not made it past the leader’s wheel and it appeared she might be in trouble. However, she found another gear late in the mile and surged by the pacesetter to win comfortably in the end. Cats Meow shook loose late to nip Keepers Destiny right on the wire for the place spot.
The winner returned a popular $3.90 for the win.
It was the second straight victory in the series for Smashbox, who won last week in 1:54.3. The mare, trained by Jim Ainsworth, improved her record to eight for 15 lifetime for owners Larry Ainsworth, William Boden and Martwest Racing Stable. The winner’s share of the purse put her over $100,000 in career earnings.
The $60,000 Ontario Girls Series final will go postward next Friday night at Woodbine.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)