Dial Square S soared off a second-over ride to land a measured blow against pylon-skimming Call Me Goo, foiling her stablemate's chances at a repeat win in the Grade 2 $210,000 Armbro Flight final on Saturday, June 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver James MacDonald floated Dial Square S off the wings from post five and planted into fifth as M Ms Dream (Yannick Gingras) pushed from the pylon draw for the lead to pocket Call Me Goo (Ake Svanstedt) into a :26.4 first quarter. M Ms Dream rolled unchallenged up the backstretch to a :56 half and gathered speed into the turn while Drawn Impression (Louis-Philippe Roy) angled first over out of fourth with Dial Square S on her tail.
Drawn Impression loomed to press M Ms Dream at three-quarters in 1:24.2, but MacDonald promptly sent Dial Square S off a helmet upon straightening and thrusted to the fore in a matter of strides. Dial Square S muscled down the last eighth under wraps while staving a late charge from Call Me Goo, who sprinted through a gap at the inside, to win by a half length in a 1:51.4 mile. Willys Home Run (Tim Tetrick) kicked from third over for third, Bravo Angel S (Bob McClure) finished fourth and M Ms Dream rounded out the top five.
“She was just perfect; two fingers to drive,” said James MacDonald, who acquired the drive on the Ake Svanstedt trainee despite qualifying for the Armbro Flight final with longshot elimination winner Willys Home Run. “Ake said, in her first start, she got a little hot and then last week she was great to drive. They’ve done a great job with her because she was an absolute dream tonight.
“I was just [wanting] to go forward a bit and see how the race looks,” MacDonald also said. “It looked pretty early like Ake and Yannick got away well and Louis was kind of floating for position — I was hoping I could get him in front of me. Sometimes it never works out, but today it did."
On being first call for Svanstedt in the Armbro Flight final after the two teamed for a Breeders Crown win last year in the Two-Year-Old Filly Trot with Lady Landia, MacDonald said “He’s been one of the greatest trotting trainers in recent history. It’s just an honour for him to give me the call and I’m just happy to be along for the ride.”
Dial Square S, a five-year-old mare by Ready Cash, remained unbeaten in her American campaign with her third win this season from three starts. She has now won five races from 16 starts and earned $309,242 for owners Stall Arsenal AB and Ake Svanstedt Inc. As the 6-5 favourite, she paid $4.50 to win.
Of note, both Willys Home Run and M Ms Dream reached money milestones despite not garnering the winner's share of the purse. Willys Home Run surpassed $1 million in career earnings while M Ms Dream earned double millionaire status.
For full results from Saturday's stakes-packed card of harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk park, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(with files from Woodbine)