The photo finish camera operator was called on to help decide the winner in Saturday’s $42,000 Open Pace at Woodbine Racetrack
, and when the winner’s number was posted on the board the longshot lovers were jumping for joy.
Major Hottie erupted for a 14-1 upset in the six-horse contest which featured a pair of millionaires – Ramegade Bruiser and Bigtime Ball. The latter, who was sent off as the 3-5 choice, was making his first start of the season after spending the winter in Florida with the O’Brien Award he scooped up at the 2009 O’Brien Awards.
Major Hottie blasted to immediate command for driver Sylvain Filion, who had the field lined up behind him when the :26.4 opening quarter flashed up. It proved to be a short-lived lead, however, as Bigtime Ball and Paul MacDonell shot from second to first just as the field entered the backstretch. He proceeded to lay down middle panels of :55 and 1:23.1 before coming under pressure from Major Hottie in the lane.
Bigtime Ball and Major Hottie went into sprint mode during a stretch battle which was eventually won by Major Hottie. The free-legged five-year-old son of Art Major took the feature race by a head over Bigtime Ball. Rounding out the top three was Cat Four.
Larocque Racing Stb Inc of Thornhill, ON holds the papers on the former claimer, who was claimed for $40,000 earlier this year at Woodbine Racetrack. The ‘pantless’ pacer has made nine starts since being purchased, and along the way he has managed to put together a 4-0-3 record while banking $83,000. The 13-time winner went past $250,000 in earnings with the win.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.