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Jins Shark pulled off a 27-1 upset winning his season's debut in the $34,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night (February 4).
Rallying off the cover of even-money favourite American Virgin in the third race feature, Jins Shark defeated that rival at the wire in 1:51 flat. James MacDonald engineered the winning second-over trip aboard the six-year-old Four Starzzz Shark gelding, who returned $57.50 for a $2 Win ticket.
Leaving from post six, Company Man (Sylvain Filion) was on top by the opening turn through a :26.4 first quarter and continued to lead the field of eight through a half in :55.4. Meanwhile, Jins Shark and MacDonald followed in sixth-place, tracking defending champion American Virgin (Doug McNair), who moved up to challenge the race leader as they passed three-quarters in 1:23.1. Company Man held onto a diminishing lead into the stretch while J Js Delivery (Travis Cullen) closed inside off a pocket trip with American Virgin and Jins Shark gaining ground on the outside. American Virgin and Jins Shark ultimately pulled ahead in the final eighth of the mile with the latter prevailing in a neck decision for the upset. J Js Delivery finished third.
David Menary trains the winner for owner Aaron Waxman of Carlisle, Ont.
Jins Shark now sports a career record reading 14-11-14 from 75 starts, with his earnings soaring past the $200,000 mark.
Prior to the Preferred, four-year-old trotting gelding Free Willy Hanover ($3.10) improved upon his perfect Woodbine record, earning his fifth straight in 1:57.2 with Jonathan Drury in the sulky. In combination with pacer Jimmy Be Good ($9.60), driven to victory in the Saturday night opener by Doug McNair, Free Willy Hanover completed a sweep of the early Daily Double ($13.60) for trainer Carmen Auciello.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.