Sylvain “not Jacques” Grenier knew what he had. He waited patiently to pull the cord and unleash favoured Musical Spell and rally his veteran gelding to a stunning come-from-behind victory in the $11,000 Billings trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (May 27).
After getting away slowly from the six-hole in the 10-horse race, Grenier had the patience of a saint sitting back in eighth place some 15 lengths off the lead at the halfway point as Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford and Utopia cut the early fractions and led the field by the quarter in :28.1 and past the half in :57.
As the field approached the three-quarters Grenier and Musical Spell were still 8-1/2 lengths behind Utopia but slowly moving up on the outside. Even at the top of the stretch Musical Spell was fifth as Costantino and Tony “The Capo” Verruso got first call after cruising along in third place for most of the mile.
But as the field headed for paydirt Utopia faded and as Musical Spell and Presquille (T. “Marielle” Enberg) emerged as the strong horses. But Musical Spell was not to be denied as the altered son of Kadabra zipped home a length and a quarter winner over taking Verruso's Costantino in the final strides. Although Presquille flatened-out in the deep stretch he still earned the show dough.
Musical Spell is owned by Haryott Stables and trained by Michael Guitard. Sent off as the odds-on favourite, he paid $3.10.
(Billings)