It might have been Friday the thirteenth, but the news evidently didn’t reach a colt named Its A Good Thing, who paced to a one-and-a-quarter length victory tonight in the $20,000 second leg of the Apaches Fame Series at Woodbine Racetrack
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Last week’s opening round winner, Herestopatrick, set the early pace in the sequel, carving out fractions of :27.1, :56.2, and 1:24.2 under the guidance of Luc Ouellette. Its A Good Thing (Randy Waples) rode the pocket through much of the mile, with Mr Terror (Mark MacDonald) holding position in third despite getting steppy on several occasions.
As the field entered the stretch, Herestopatrick was still maintaining his lead, but the gelding was losing steam. Waples pounced with Its A Good Thing, moving him out from cover and accelerating to the lead in a heartbeat. The pair crossed the wire in 1:52.2, nearly two full seconds better than Its A Good Thing’s previous lifetime mark.
Favourite Midnite Romp (Rick Zeron) came from well off the pace to grab the place position, and Mr Terror recovered from a brief break in stride to secure the show spot. A tired Herestopatrick held on for fourth.
Its A Good Thing, a three-year-old homebred son of Western Maverick, is trained and co-owned by O’Brien Award-winning trainer, Bob McIntosh, in partnership with Michael Kohler and Dwight Stacey. This was his fifth win in six starts this season and boosted his bankroll past the $40,000 mark.
The $47,000 (est.) final of the Apaches Fame final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, is slated for next Friday, March 20 at Woodbine.
In regular racing action, Four Starzz Meliss made it five-in-a-row with a wire-to-wire score in the $44,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace.
Rick Zeron guided the eight-year-old daughter of Cambest - Tappy Belle through panels of :26.1, :55.2 and 1:23.4 en route to victory in 1:51.1 by one and a half lengths for trainer Glenn Lalonde and co-owners Jennifer Lalonde of Guelph and John Nother of Brampton, Ont.
Michelles Power (Jody Jamieson) closed well from off the pace to grab the runner-up spot while pocket-sitter Marietta Hall (Mark MacDonald) finished third.
The winner of 38 races and $711,446 is now five-for-five this year.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)