Four sets of the Alliance Spring Series wrapped up on Sunday evening (June 19) at Georgian Downs and upsets were aplenty.
Manwithamission produced the biggest upset of the night in the $17,800 final for male trotters. The three-year-old Manofmanymissions gelding was making just his fourth career start, and while he was a runner-up in the opening round of the series on June 5, his second Alliance outing was marred with a break in stride. However, Manwithamission was on his best behavior on Sunday and pulled off the 30-1 upset for trainer, driver and co-owner Alvin Hamilton.
While Galaxy worked to clear Heineken Seelster down the backstretch and Unicum Bi vacated the pocket, Hamilton tipped Manwithamission out from fifth and fanned three-wide coming off the final en route to completing his maiden-breaking mission in 1:57.4. Unicum Bi finished second, one and a half lengths behind, and Copper Blues came on for third. Galaxy and Heineken Seelster completed the top five finish order. Mr Montgomery, a two-time division winner in the preliminary legs, was scratched sick.
Manwithamission is also owned by Thomas McMann, Jeff Waugh and Jeff Packer. He paid $62 for a $2 Win ticket.
A favourite and top-two finisher in each of her preliminary legs, Wilma C was overlooked in the $18,000 final for trotting fillies and mares.
Sent postward at odds of 18-1 from post seven, the three-year-old Muscle Mass filly was second-to-last early on, but followed True Muscle and Emmalulu in the outer flow and rallied wide outside as those two favourites duelled for the lead into the stretch. Wilma C was able to collar Emmalulu, who was previously undefeated in the series, at the wire in 1:58.4 for trainer/driver Kelly Sheppard while recent Grassroots winner True Muscle finished over two lengths behind in third. She paid $38 to win.
Owned by Sea Of Green Inc., Wilma C has never missed the board in 11 career starts. She now has five wins and a new lifetime mark.
Charming Hill was also a double-digit upset winner in the $18,700 final for female pacers as she scored her first win in nine career starts with Anthony MacDonald catch-driving for trainer Carmen Auciello.
The Auciello Stables' three-year-old Bettors Delight filly followed in the three-hole behind You Mach Me Crazy, who was looking for a series sweep. When You Mach Me Crazy looped race leader Deucette, who was also perfect in the prelims, at the third quarter mark, MacDonald sent Charming Hill chasing after the favourite into the stretch and prevailed by one length in 1:54.3. Sent postward at odds of 11-1, Charming Hill paid $25.10 to win. Art Instructor finished four lengths behind in third over Deucette.
Fresh off a victory from the second round of the series, Lively Freddie overcame a post eight start and tracked down the popular two-leg winner Ok Iceman in the $18,800 final for male pacers. The three-year-old son of Panspacificflight was the 9-2 third wagering choice and paid $11.10 to win.
With Bob McClure driving for trainer Dean Nixon and Icr Racing, Lively Freddie sprinted his final quarter in :26.2 to come from third over and take a new lifetime mark of 1:54.4. He is now three-for-eight in his career. Ok Iceman stayed for second, finishing three and a half lengths behind, while J J Mystic Storm closed well from the backfield for third.
In other action, the Auciello-trained Thorn In Your Side won the $7,500 Preferred 3 Pace in 1:52.1 with Jonathan Drury driving for High Stakes Stable Inc. Dropping down from the Preferred 2 ranks, the six-year-old Mach Three gelding gave way to outside leaver Senior Market and then retook the lead at the first quarter before drawing off by nearly five lengths. The 2-1 favourite paid $6.10 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.