Sophomores were in the spotlight Friday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with the boys battling in the final of The Count B Series and the girls going at it in the final of the Miss Vera Bars Series.
War N Munn was sent off as the 2-5 favourite in his quest to sweep The Count B Series, and the son of Stonebridge Regal-Stonebridge Venus had no problem coming through on his pari-mutuel promise.
Jonathan Drury was parked and pressing Gotti at the quarter pole in :26.1 before muscling past that foe and grabbing the lead. Once in command of the tempo, the Carmen Auciello trainee settled things down on the way to the half-mile pole in :56. He was still on top at the three-quarter marker in 1:24.4, and a :28-second closing quarter propelled him to the win by 7-1/2 lengths over Gotti. Taking home the show dough was New Standard.
George Munniksma of Washington, NJ owns the colt, who completed the sweep of this year’s The Count B Series. It was the fifth lifetime score for the career winner of $81,111.
Bad As Leader made a bold rush to the lead in the backstretch of the $41,600 final of the Miss Vera Bars Series, and that proved to the winning move for the Victor Puddy pupil.
Longshot Arizona Seelster hustled to the lead and threw down an opening quarter in :27.1. She continued to hold a slim lead at the mid-way point in :57.1, but Trevor Henry had Bad As Leader in gear and charging up quickly on the outside.
Bad As Leader kept the pedal to the metal around the final turn, and she was still in command of the tempo at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.2. A :28.2 closing panel earned the filly the win by 1-1/2 lengths over Im In Luv in 1:53.4. Windsun Glory took home third prize.
The clocking matched the series record set by A Pippin Hanover in 2010.
The three-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Designated Leader notched her fourth win of the season from just six trips to the track for owners/breeders Bill Manes of Rockwood and William Cripps of Acton, Ont. The six-time winner lifted her lifetime earnings to $69,624.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.