Maplelea completed a sweep of the Horseplayer Interactive Series on Saturday night, capturing the $39,400 final with ease as the 1-9 mutuel favourite in 1:55.3.
Maplelea, owned and trained by Andrew Moore, now has five wins from seven starts in 2015. The Sportswriter filly won the opening leg of the HorsePlayer Interactive Series by five lengths on March 6 and nearly doubled that margin of victory a week later to take the second leg by nine and a quarter lengths.
Rick Zeron steered Maplelea into third position in the HPI final as Mega Machsy notched the opening quarter in :28.2 with Missy Tap Tina chasing her early pace. Maplelea took command down the backstretch marking the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.2. War Filly, runner-up in the second leg, advanced through the turn to take a run at Maplelea but had to settle for place. Wake N Bake closed to complete the triactor. Maplelea paid $2.10 to win.
In order to be eligible to the Horseplayer Interactive, the Ontario-sired sophomore pacing fillies had to be non-winners of $50,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2014.
The WEGZ Series also wrapped up on Saturday night with Dialamara arriving in the nick of time to collar favoured J Js Delivery and win the $42,400 final.
A field of nine three-year-old pacing colts and geldings squared off in the WEGZ final, including first leg winner Dialamara and J Js Delivery, who impressed in the second leg while making his seasonal debut.
Dialamara, trained by Pat Fletcher for owner John Lamers, spoiled his two-hole trip a week ago by making a break at the three-quarter pole. This week, however, the Lis Mara colt made no mistakes tracking the early pace of J Js Delivery from third position through a half in :57, advancing confidently into second position through the turn. James Macdonald allowed Dialamara a quick breather at the top of the lane before digging in with a powerful closing kick to reel in J Js Delivery in the final stride. Dialamara stopped the clock in 1:54.1. A $2 win ticket on Dialamara returned $9.80 to win.
The WEGZ Series is for Ontario-sired three-year-olds that were non-winners of $50,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2014.
In Preferred action, Alexas Jackpot pulled off a 56-1 stunner in this week's $34,000 top pace as he blew by duelling favourites, Avatartist and Nickle Bag, in deep stretch en route to a 1:52.2 triumph. The winner returned $115.50 for a $2 win ticket.
Slight second choice Avatartist led the field through fractions of :27.1, :55.2 and 1:23.1 with even-money favourite Nickle Bag committing first over during the third panel and Sparky Mark following him into the outer flow. Meanwhile, Chris Christoforou positioned Alexas Jackpot third over after getting away sixth and the longshot unleashed his closing kick down the lane to prevail by one and a half lengths. Nickle Bag finished second and Spinfiniti came on for third while Sparky Mark and Musselsfrmbrussels finished fourth in a dead-heat.
Alexas Jackpot's 10th career victory pushed his bankroll over the $200,000 mark. Marty Fine trains the five-year-old Million Dollar Cam gelding and also shares ownership with Highland Thoroughbred Farm.
Speaking of "jackpots," the Jackpot Hi 5 carryover climbed over $700,000 for Monday night's harness racing card.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)