Unopposed won the $25,000 Pot O Gold Series Final at Sudbury Downs on Saturday night after being claimed by Recall Racing Stable of Lively, ON for $5,400 in last week's second leg of the series
.
Trainer Danielle Soulliere gave the ninth race driving assignment to Jason Ryan. Despite having drawn the pylon position, Ryan allowed all of the early speed horses go at it as much as they wanted. While they rolled past quarters in :27.4, :57.1 and 1:27.3, he bided his time at the rear of the field and didn’t ask the five-year-old Cambest-Lets Dance gelding for anything until they were inside the final 3/8ths.
But, when Ryan chirped, 11-1 Unopposed nearly jumped out of his harness and steam rolled four-wide around the last turn battling right down to the last stride. He nipped Stone Cold Billyo, driven by Dave Dowling, crossing under the finish line in 1:58.4.
Despite finishing seventh in his second leg division, Unopposed got into the final by virtue of a win in the first round. The $12,500 win-money put the new owners into a significant profit position from their very first start and boosted Unopposed’s season earnings to $21,930.
For Jason Ryan, it marked his second win of the night. He also won the eighth race with the Paul Walter-trained Justa Regular Joe. Later, he finished second in an e-photo with his own seven-year-old pacing mare Minnie Win.
Saturday’s card also featured a pair $11,000 Not Listed Preferred events.
The pacing Preferred went to favourite Rush Rules, a wire-to-wire winner in 1:55.2 for trainer-driver Mike MacNeill. Brawny (Allan Hohner) finished 1-1/4 length behind with Auditorial (Mario Rivest) back in third.
Robert Truman of Harbor Springs, Michigan owns and bred the six-year-old son of Scooter Scott-Sf Cavalier, who has won his last three of four starts this year earning nearly $15,000.
Bjs Fancy, the 6-1 third choice, survived a first over journey to take the trotting event in 2:00.3, holding off favourite Stormont O My (Mario Rivest) by a half-length. Pacesetter Elton Blue Chip (Justin Turcotte) rounded out the top three.
Allan Hohner trains and co-owns the six-year-old daughter of Angus Hall-Perfect Partner with Tamara Boisjoli of Azilda and Valerie Blackmore of Mississauga, ON. The victory was his fifth in 16 seasonal starts and bumped his earnings to $30,950.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from Sudbury Downs)