Mr Saratoga returned fresh from a four week long layoff, wiring his foes in the $35,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night
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With the inside post position, Mr Saratoga, who finished fifth in the Spring Pacing Championship on April 2, took command and forced Post 2 starter Ideal Race (Rick Zeron), the even money favourite, into the pocket while Stonebridge Terror (Doug McNair) made a break gunning for the lead. As the field settled into line, Mr Saratoga and driver Keith Oliver hit the first quarter mark in :26.3. After taking a breather to the half in :56, he proceeded to the next marker in 1:24.2. The seven-year-old Million Dollar Cam-Miss Sara Toga gelding kicked into high gear again in the stretch unleashing a :26.3 final frame to hold off the late charging Ideal Race by half a length in 1:51. Rave On (Scott Zeron) rounded out the top three.
Mr Saratoga paid $12.10 to win as the 5-1 second choice. Tony Montini trains the winner of four races in 10 starts this year, who is owned by Onlineharnessowner Com 7 of Uxbridge, Ont. A winner of 29 races lifetime, Mr Saratoga boasts a bankroll in excess of $643,000. The win provided him with his second highlight of the week as his first foal was born on Sunday to iron tough pacing mare Proxahantis.
Later on the card, Rock Me Please, third in the Open last week, dropped into a four-year-old conditioner and went all the way to win in 1:50.3 for driver Randy Waples and trainer Bob McIntosh. Grin For Money (Jack Moiseyev) closed from the backfield in :25.3 to finish three-quarters of a length behind. Piece Of The Rock (Chris Christoforou) was third. Meanwhile, 2010 Confederation Cup and Windy City Pace winner Aracache Hanover (Doug McNair) finished sixth in his 2011 debut for trainer Gregg McNair.
Rock Me Please, a son of Rocknroll Hanover-Please Me Please, earned his second win in five seasonal starts and fifth win lifetime to push his career earnings over the $250,000 mark for the Mardon Stables, Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., Carlo Rovella and John McCormack.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.