After back-to-back runner-up finishes to start the season, Woodmere Ideal Art was finally able to vanquish his foes in the featured Winners Over Pace on Saturday (June 20) at Exhibition Park Raceway.
Robert Laffin placed Woodmere Ideal Art forwardly off the gate and ahead of his rivals around the first turn but was confronted for that lead early by Brandons Glory (Mark Haig). Brandons Glory cleared to the lead and fronted the field at the :28.1 opening panel but Laffin wasn't content in the pocket and lopped back to the lead.
Woodmere Ideal Art was on top at the :58.1 half but was once again challenged for that position, this time by last week's Winners Over winner Father ofthe Year (Mike Downey). Woodmere Ideal Art maintained his position through a 1:27.3 third panel with Father Ofthe Year getting to within a quarter of a length around the far turn but that would be as close as he'd get. A :30 final quarter from Woodmere Ideal Art was enough to seal the deal and hit the wire three-quarters of a length the best in a time of 1:57.3. Father Ofthe Year stayed for second with Pickpocketprincess (Gilles Barrieau) closing well for third after a traffic-troubled trip.
Trained by Sifroi Melanson for the Ultimate Stable of Greater Lakeburn, N.B., Woodmere Ideal Art (Articulator - Very Ideal Hanover) now sports 16 career wins with more than $60,000 in career earnings.
One race prior, sophomore pacer Umpire Hanover pushed his career unbeaten streak to five with a wire-to-wire 1:59 score in his three-year-old debut. Mike Downey was aboard Umpire Hanover (Sportswriter - Up Front Rose) for trainer Ellen Stevenson and owner Dr. Mitch Downey of Saint John, N.B.
Next Saturday is a dark day for Exhibition Park as the New Brunswick track will host a Canada Day card on Wednesday, July 1.
To view the results from Exhibition Park's Saturday card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Exhibition Park Raceway.