Narrowed down to four $10,000 divisions, the second leg of the Oxford County late-closing three-week series for male pacers three years old and up continued on Saturday afternoon over a sloppy track at Woodstock Raceway
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Montanez was a repeat offender in the first division winning in 1:59.2 for trainer James Ritchie, who shares ownership with Paul Ritchie of Orangeville and Terry Taylor of Fergus, Ont. Trevor Henry, who scored a driving hat trick on the card, sent Montanez first up from third at the halfway point and the Western Maverick colt landed on top by three-quarters ahead of the early pacesetter E Dees Legacy (Nick Steward). It was all downhill from there as the 2-1 second choice coasted home for the two and a half length triumph over Premium Bliss (Mike Whelan) and Daylon Ace (Travis Bowman). The bay has won four times this year in seven starts and has yet to finish worse than second. Montanez currently sports a lifetime record reading 5-4-0 in 11 starts with $31,034 earned.
The second division went to the fan favourite Santana Joe, who went wire-to-wire to win one of the fastest splits in 1:59.1 by four lengths over World Of Outlaws (Bruce Richardson) and Hidden Galaxy (Brad Forward). Dave Wall did the driving for trainer Matthew McConnell, who co-owns with the JJS Stables of Grand Valley, Ont. The four-year-old D M Dillinger gelding scored his second win of the season in four tries and improved his lifetime record to 2-2-2 in eight starts with $12,536 earned.
Driver Jody Jamieson swept the final divisions, which counted as two of four triumphs on the 12-race card for Canada’s leading reinsman.
After remaining parked to the first quarter by Ideal Escape (Brad Forward), Jamieson and the odds-on favourite Goingnowherefast settled on top and would lead the field through the remaining panels all the while turning back a challenge from No Huddle (David Wall). The winner of his first leg division eventually pulled away by two and a quarter lengths to win in 2:00 over Ideal Escape and longshot Rammy Sammy (Alfred Carroll). Louie Eftimiadis trains the four-year-old Artsplace gelding, a winner of two races in 12 lifetime starts and $17,923, for the Howe Good R They Stable of Newmarket, Ont.
Whispers Art also doubled up in the series after making the lead following a quarter pole move. The sophomore son of Modern Art, who was sent postward as the bettor’s choice, carved out the remaining panels on route to victory in 1:59.1 by two and a half lengths. Thatll Work (Dave Wall) and Thorpedia (Stephen Lees) finished second and third. The Kevin O’Reilly pupil, who is on a four race win streak, has recorded five wins, one second and one third in nine career starts earning $19,888 for the Vintage Stable of Amherst, Ohio.
In the featured $17,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace Victim Of Love pulled off a mild 6-1 upset with a strong closing kick.
Leaving from Post 6, the four-year-old daughter of No Pan Intended settled in sixth position while A Fiesty Affair (Brad Watt) used the inside post to her advantage to make the lead. After putting up a :27.2 first quarter, A Fiesty Affair gave way to Slaley (Jody Jamieson), who drove on and put up the remaining fractions of :55.3 and 1:25.1. Meanwhile, Victim Of Love picked up cover in the form of Headpoles R Us (Brad Forward) during the middle panels and charged home in the stretch for the win in 1:56.1 by a neck over Slaley. Longshot Minniewin (Stephen Lees) closed well to finish a quarter-length back in third.
Trained by Wayne Preszcator, Victim Of Love notched her third win in 13 outings this year. The winner of eight races and $167,485 is owned by Florida’s Bulletproof Enterprises.
To view Saturday's results, click here.