There was no shortage of early speed in Monday’s $50,000 final of the Swing Into Spring Series at Woodbine Racetrack, and a trotter named Bullet wound up being the beneficiary of all the front-end battling
.
Keith Oliver mapped out the second-over trip for Bullet, who used a :28.4 closing panel to post the career-best clocking of 1:53.1 while taking home a $25,000 payday.
Bullet, who was parked every step of the way, watched race favourite Rockys First supply the field with a :26-second opening panel before giving up the lead briefly to Undercover Strike. Rockys First let that foe clear before re-taking command and laying down a punishing first-half clocking of :54.4.
Rockys First, was pressed around the final turn by Poof K, but he was still in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:24. Bullet, who was tracking Poof K from second over, swung wide for the drive and accelerated by the leaders en route to the 3-1/4 length decision. Dukester, who was last at the three-quarter pole, came on strong to finish second with third prize going to A Crown For Lindy.
“Last week we got caught in and never got to race him,” said Oliver. “I think if he got out last week he could have won, but I think that made him much stronger tonight. You can do whatever you want. You can leave with him, you can take him off, you can race him anywhere. He has won from everywhere and tonight he won from second-over. He is very versatile.”
Sent off at odds of 9-1, Bullet notched his second win of the season for trainer Anthony Montini. The five-year-old son of Windsongs Legacy-Pine Potion is owned by the Ontario partnership of Albina Montini, Adelio Cicchetti and Paul Giammichele. The seven-time winner has banked $151,891 to date.
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.