San Pail Repeats In Glorys Comet

San Pail, the reigning Horse of the Year in both Canada and the U.S., wore down a persistent Windsong Geant to match his 1:52.1 North American season's mark during the second round of the Glorys Comet Trotting Series at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday

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Facing just four other rivals in a single $60,000 second leg division, overwhelming 1-9 favourite San Pail and driver Randy Waples got away third from Post 3 as outsiders Windsong Geant (Rick Zeron) and Older Trotting Mare of the Year Frenchfrysnvinegar (Jody Jamieson) battled on top during a track record tying :25.4 opening quarter mile. Windsong Geant eventually persevered at the pylons and quickly recovered after making a minor misstep while forcing Frenchfrysnvinegar to take back into a gapping two-hole. Meanwhile, Hava Kadabra (Scott Zeron) made a break early on.

Windsong Geant led the field to the half in :54.4 before defending Glorys Comet Series champion San Pail made his move as they travelled to three-quarters in 1:23.4. The eight-year-old San Pellegrino-Village Beauty gelding moved up alongside the leader down the lane and took over in deep stretch to score his ninth win in a row. Windsong Geant settled for second one length behind and Frenchfrysnvinegar was third. Mr Web Page (Mario Baillargeon) finished fourth.

San Pail, who was also triumphant his 2012 debut last week in 1:52.1, paid $2.10 to win tonight. All other trotters were sent postward at odds of over 70-1.

"He on his game again tonight," said Dunsford trainer Rod Hughes following the win. "In a short field, you would think the fractions would be soft, but that wasn't the case. He had a great week coming into tonight and we'll have him as ready as we can for the final next week."

The career winner of 51 races and over $3 million is owned by Hughes and his wife Emily as the Hughes Stable, along with breeder Glenn Van Camp of Port Perry.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.

(With quotes from WEG)