A total of seven qualifiers were contested on a frigid afternoon Friday at Woodbine Racetrack, highlighted by the return of Apprentice Hanover.
The temperature at post time was a chilly -20 degrees Celsius, but the track was in good shape and listed as ‘Fast’ for the qualifying session. A one-second variant was allowed by the Ontario Racing Commission judges.
In the fourth qualifier, the Ben Wallace trainee, Apprentice Hanover, put in his first charted line of 2015.
Driven by Doug McNair, Apprentice Hanover got away in fifth and was more than 11 lengths off the lead at the half-mile pole. Around the final turn, McNair got his charge out and moving on the outside and the duo was nine and three-quarter lengths off the lead turning for home. In the stretch, Apprentice Hanover rocketed by the leaders and cruised home in :27.3 to win the qualifier in 1:56.1. Millionaire pacer Alexie Mattosie finished second.
A five-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, Apprentice Hanover has 20 wins and a bankroll of over $940,000 in his career. Last season, he won nine starts and earned over $429,000. In his last start of 2014, Apprentice Hanover won the Preferred Pace at Woodbine on November 15.
The stakes-winning pacer is poised for a big five-year-old campaign this season, as he approaches millionaire status.
Apprentice Hanover is owned by Brad Grant of Milton, Ont.
Five-year-old trotting mare Rockin With Dewey scored a 1:59.2 victory in her second charted line of 2015.
Driven by Mario Baillargeon, Rockin With Dewey was sent straight to the front and cut out fractions of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:30. In the stretch, Rockin With Dewey looked good trotting home in :29.2 for the victory.
A daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Rockin With Dewey is co-owned and trained by Ben Baillargeon. Diane Ingham of Mount Pleasant, Ont. shares ownership of Rockin With Dewey with Baillargeon.
In her first qualifier of the season on February 5, she finished second, trotting her mile in 1:59.1.
Last season, Rockin With Dewey won four of 19 starts and earned over $137,000. Over her career, she has 10 wins and earnings exceeding $310,000.
The complete list of Friday’s qualifying winners can be found below and full charted lines from the session can be viewed by clicking here.
Qualifiers – Friday, February 20, 2015
Race/Horse/Driver/Time/Gait
Q1: Rockin With Dewey – Mario Baillargeon – 1:59.2 (Trot)
Q2: Justabit Mean – Doug McNair – 1:59.2 (Pace)
Q3: Doncango – Mario Baillargeon – 2:01.2 (Trot)
Q4: Apprentice Hanover – Doug McNair – 1:56.1 (Pace)
Q5: Shouldhavebetmore – Mario Baillargeon – 2:00.2 (Pace)
Q6: Etruscan Hanover – Mario Baillargeon – 1:57.4 (Trot)
Q7: Maxi Powers – Trevor Henry – 1:59.4 (Pace)
(With files from WEG)