The landscape of Thursday’s $60,000 final of the Tie Silk Stakes changed drastically before the race even started when race favourite Ibrox rolled into a costly break for driver Jody Jamieson
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That colt’s misfortune proved to be the good fortune of the gelding Onirique, not the mention the handful of backers brave enough to play the Fredrick Persson trainee at odds of 80-1. That 80-1 price was nearly slashed in half when the money wagered on Ibrox (who failed to reach the fair start pole) was refunded, but it still left Onirique’s backers taking home a $90 profit for every $2 win ticket investment.
R As Shakenbake (Rick Zeron) shot to the front and chopped out panels of :27.3 and :58 before coming under heavy pressure from Onirique and driver J.R. Plante around the final turn. They were together at the three-quarter pole in 1:28.1 before Onirique kicked into overdrive and drew clear to win by 1-3/4-lengths in 1:57.3. Unforgettable Fire (Mike Saftic), who drew in from the also eligible list when Sholty was scratched, was second best. Con Brio Hall (Jack Moiseyev) rounded out the top three finishers.
The victory was a maiden-breaking effort for the three-year-old son of Andover Hall-Zeta Di Jesolo, who is owned by Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme of East Garafraxa, ON.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.