Dismissed as the 8-1 third choice despite being one of two elimination winners one week ago, Major Threat made good on his moniker in the 33rd edition of the MSSBA Futurity on Saturday, Aug. 16 at The Loop.
With favoured Pipers Luna (Dean Rey) using her inside advantage to find the front early, Richard Remillard pressed on from post four with Major Threat and wrestled away control of the race through a :29 opening quarter. Remillard kept the pace honest from there, with a :59 half and 1:29.2 third station while second choice Van Goghing Fast (Marc Fillion) attempted a first-over assault on the leader. That challenge started to falter around the far turn, allowing Pipers Luna a lane from the pocket and a chance to lunge for the lead late. Major Threat stayed strong on top and kept all rivals at bay, closing in :30 to trip the timer in 1:59.2. Pipers Luna was a length back in second with Van Goghing Fast next across the wire.
A son of All Bets Off - Hokie Spirit, Major Threat is owned by breeders Tara Isman of, Gladstone, Man. and Garett Isman of Calgary, Alta. Tara also trains the winner, now with a 3-1-1 summary from five starts this season and winner of more than $20,000 in his career. Major Threat paid $18.50 to win, with the mile time both a lifetime best and new track record for sophomore pacing geldings — shaving a full second off the previous mark established by Lookinlikeamillion.
On the engine was also the winning formula in the $7,000 Open Pace as Outlaw Spiced Rum ($9.70) made every call a winning one for driver Glenn LeDrew to prevail by more than four lengths in a time of 1:58.3. Treasure Horizon (Darryl Mason) was next best with favoured Ginger Tree Finny (Michel Rey) completing the triactor ticket.
Aurel Vodon of Virden, Man. owns and trains Outlaw Spiced Rum, a seven-year-old daughter of Blue Burner - Billie J Blue Chip with 33 career victories and more than $192,000 in purse earnings.
Prior to the Open victory, Vodon picked up the first training win of his career when LeDrew guided Vodon's homebred Millys Filly to a toteboard-busting 47-1 upset in a $4,800 race for maidens.
After four wins last week, trainer Sherri Mason tripled at The Loop on Saturday. Mason found the winner's circle thanks to the efforts of Acquired Taste (2:02.2; $4.20) in the fourth, Controlthedistance (2:01.2; $11.10) in the sixth and Miss Baby (2:05.2; $3.80) in the finale. Mason now sports 13 wins on the season in 36 starts. That win total matches her 2024 win count, but that number came courtesy nearly three times as many starts (90).
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Manitoba, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Loop.
(Standardbred Canada)