St Elmo Hero Returns To Victory Lane

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Published: April 23, 2011 08:34 pm EDT

After missing by a mere nose in his last outing to end his undefeated winning streak, St Elmo Hero made it back to victory lane on Saturday night in the $45,000 Open Pace at Woodbine Racetrack

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Second choice Lisagain (Rick Zeron) left alertly from Post 5 and put up a :27.3 opening quarter before St Elmo Hero and driver Jody Jamieson brushed up from third to take over. The five-year-old son of Western Hero-Crystal Crickett headed to the half in :56.3 while 32-1 longshot Rock Me Please (Randy Waples) launched his attack from the backfield.

Rock Me Please applied heavy pressure past three-quarters in 1:24.2, but St Elmo Hero scooted away off the turn to a two length victory in 1:51.4. Lisagain finished second over Rock Me Please.

St Elmo Hero paid $4 to win as the even-money favourite. After winning 25 consecutive races, the gelding was defeated by Art Professor in last Saturday’s Open at Woodbine after losing a shoe. He is now 26-for-27 in his career, which began last June at Balmoral Park. His lifetime earnings stand at $250,700 for owner John Barnard of Orland Park, Illinois. Meg Crone trains St Elmo Hero while in Canada.

Grin For Money gave his own connections something to smile about after rallying off cover to capture the $28,000 Preferred 2 Pace in a career-best clocking later on the card.

Dark Lightning (Mario Baillargeon) shot to command down the center of the track and put up a lightning speed :26.1 opening quarter, followed by a :54.1 half. At that point, World Away (Mike Saftic), who quickly reset after making a break behind the gate, launched a first over attack from fifth with Grin For Money and Jack Moiseyev following his cover.

World Away moved up alongside the leader as they passed three-quarters in 1:22.4 and took over into the stretch, but Grin For Money zipped right by them both to score in 1:50.3. Pocket-sitter Aled Hanover (Scott Zeron), the 3-5 favourite, came on for second over World Away.

Grin For Money returned $26.80 to his backers for the 12-1 upset. The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate, a son of Grinfromeartoear-Our Inheritance, notched his third win from 10 starts as a four-year-old and bumped his 2011 earnings to $49,520 for trainer John Kopas and the Grin For Money Stable of London, Ont. The victory was his 10th lifetime and lifted his overall bankroll to $241,352.

For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.

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