My Gift To You and Fire On The Water both emerged victorious in Saturday’s first leg of The Diplomat Pacing Series for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers over a Woodbine oval rated as good after a freak rainstorm hit the area earlier in the afternoon
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My Gift To You, in rein to Jody Jamieson, got away fourth early on in the opening $25,000 contest before making a backside brush to command just before a leisurely first have of :59.2. Once on top, the son of Camluck - Eternal Gift was never seriously threatened and threw in a :27.3 final panel to stop the clock in 1:55.3.
World Away (Steve Condren), who is ranked at odds of 85-1 in Trot Magazine’s 2009 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, rallied to pick up the place spot in his first start of the season with Star Party (Randy Waples) finishing third. The winner returned just $2.70.
My Gift To You has now won three straight and seven of 13 starts this season for trainer Jeff Gillis and owner Martin Scharf of Lawrence, New York.
In the second split, North America Cup eligible Fire On The Water blasted off the wings from Post 5 for driver Paul MacDonell and took the field past the first quarter in :27.4 before yielding the lead to Dervish Hanover (Condren) just past the half in :57.3.
Fire On The Water remained in the pocket position as the field reached the third marker in 1:25.4. MacDonell had just enough room to move his charge to the outside at the top of the stretch when the leader began to tire. Once clear, Fire On The Water drew clear for a 1-3/4 length tally in 1:54.2.
The son of Real Artist - Aquatic Yankee, who is rated 65-1 in Trot's Spring Book, turned back Primary Purpose (Mark MacDonald), who is rated 50-1, with Pieraz (Simon Allard) landing the show spot. The winner kicked back $12.30 for the victory.
It was the second win in five tries this season for the Murray Brethour trainee who is owned by Anthony Nichols of Omemee, Ontario.
In regular action, Ramegade Bruiser kept his win streak alive with a wire-to-wire score in the $50,000 Open Pace.
The six-year-old son of Rambaran, driven by Chris Christoforou, remained parked to the first turn as Hyperion Hanover (Rick Zeron) attempted to take the top spot. Ramegade Bruiser, however, charged to the front reaching the first quarter in :27. The 4-5 favourite led the way around the Rexdale oval through panels of :55.4 and 1:23.3. He turned back the first-over Stormaway (Dan Megens) and used a :27.3 final quarter to win in 1:51.1 by almost two lengths.
Hyperion Hanover rode the pocket to finish second with Clowns Smile (Mark MacDonald) rounding out the top three.
Owned and trained by David Brown, Ramegade Bruiser notched his four straight win coming off a Spring Championship Series sweep. His ninth win of the year in 11 starts lifted his earnings to over $262,000. The bay’s 40th career win boosted his bankroll to $893,789.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)