Launching off cover into the stretch, driver Doug McNair piloted Fool Me Once, one of five winners for trainer Richard Moreau on the program, to a 1:52 victory in the $34,000 Preferred Pace at odds of 10-1 on Saturday, March 17 at Woodbine Racetrack.
Fool Me Once sat fourth off a :26.1 opening quarter established by The Rev battling with Nirvana Seelster for the lead. Nirvana Seelster, the odds-on favourite, conceded for the pocket through the backstretch. After a half in :55.3, The Rev experienced first-over pressure from Physicallyinclined moving around the final turn, with Fool Me Once on his cover second over.
The Rev held the lead past three-quarters in 1:24.1. Nirvana Seelster needed room from the inside while Physicallyinclined gained ground to the outside and Fool Me Once edged towards the center. Fool Me Once made a swift move towards the front through the stretch, finishing two-lengths in front of stable-mate Physicallyinclined. Nirvana Seelster finished third.
An eight-year-old stallion by Art Major from the Jennas Beach Boy mare Fool That I Am, Fool Me Once, owned by Brad Grant, won his second race in five starts this season and his 38th in 135 overall, earning $1,078,867. He paid $22.10 to win.
Of Richard Moreau's five winners, Isitfridayyet won as the favourite in a $22,000 pace in a lifetime-best 1:50.2, grabbing his sixth-consecutive victory over nine starts this season. The five-year-old gelding by No Pan Intended from the Artiscape mare Art Debut brushed to the front prior to the half, leading through a :55 half and three-quarters in 1:22.1 before kicking two-and-one-quarter lengths clear of Shades Of Bay in second. Piston Broke, from second over, rallied for third.
Winning his 15th race in 80 starts, Isitfridayyet, owned by Leonard Rosene, has earned $92,854. The gelding has won four times since being claimed by the Moreau barn for $20,000 on Feb. 19. Driven by Louis-Philippe Roy, he paid $5.00 to win.
Moreau's other winners consisted of Cultural Paradise ($10.20), winning an $18,000 pace from off the pace in 1:53.1, Big Petes Style ($3.60) wiring a $14,000 pace as the favourite in 1:52.4 and Natural Kemp ($6.80) taking an $18,000 trot in 1:55.2.
A single ticket took down the pool in the Jackpot Hi-5, with His Boy Elroy ($10.80) winning over Atomic Million Am (8-1), Sunny Beach Day (50-1), Koultons Rocket (49-1) and Bugger Bruiser (21-1). The Hi-5 returned $114,230.17.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.