All eyes were on the 2/5 favourite Nippy W Hanover in Thursday’s lone division of the Miss Vera Bars Series for three-year-old filly pacers at Woodbine Racetrack, but Maplelea stole her thunder thanks to her come-from-behind tally in 1:56.3.
With Rick Zeron at the controls, Maplelea got away seventh in the early going while Weekly Special and Happy Ending Gal battled to the quarter pole in :28.1. The latter eventually worked her way to the front before coming under attack from stablemate Franney Love Dat in the backstretch. She wrestled away the lead from Happy Ending Gal at the mid-way point in :58.4, and once she cleared she came under immediate pressure.
Nippy W Hanover led the charge from the backfield, and glued to her back was Maplelea. Not much separated Franney Love Dat and Maplelea at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3, but the final turn battle took its toll on the pair of them. Rick Zeron swung Maplelea off cover in the lane and she rocketed home in a :28-second clip en route to post the win by 2-3/4 lengths over Nippy W Hanover in 1:56.3. Franney Love Dat held on for the show dough.
Andrew Moore of Russell, Ontario owns and trains the daughter of Sportswriter-Maple Lady, who is now 2-for-6 in her career. The $7,000 purchase from the 2013 Harrisburg Yearling Sale has banked just over $20,000 to date.
Round two of the Miss Vera Bars is scheduled to go next Thursday, and the top ten money earners throughout the preliminary legs will have the chance to race in the $35,000 (added) final on Friday, February 20.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.