Stepping up to face a stout field of accomplished pacers, Fortify appears to be a fresh threat in the top class ranks after knocking off nine rivals at healthy odds in the $36,000 Preferred Pace on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A 1:50.1 winner a week ago at Mohawk for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Rene Bourassa, Fortify advanced to the Preferred ranks on Saturday. He went postward with Zeron once again at the controls, this week sent off at 10-1 odds with Oakwood Ardan IR and Taurasi rightfully garnering much of the betting interest. However, at 10-1, Fortify left the gate as the third choice on the toteboard.
Also a winner a week ago was Stockade Seelster, and driver Louis-Philippe Roy sent the two-time O'Brien Award winner to the top from post 10 in search of a repeat. Zeron settled Fortify into the pocket as Stockade Seelster stormed through stanzas of :26.2, :55.2 and 1:22.4. With the first-over attack of Redwood Hanover (Dexter Dunn) stalled, Fortify loomed the danger in the pocket. Zeron didn't even have to angle him out, as Stockade Seelster started to drift out in the stretch headed for paydirt. Zeron shot Fortify through that newfound opening up the inside, and it was smooth sailing to the wire. Fortify got there first, with the mile timed in 1:49.1.
Taurasi closed well with Doug McNair to finish second, with Pacino Hanover (Travis Cullen) next best.
The time of the mile is a seasonal best for Fortify, who had primarily plied his trade for the Burke Brigade this season at Yonkers Raceway before a late July purchase by owners Daniel Gaudreault of Mont-Joli and Ecuries Maguire Inc, Sainte-Marie, Que. Seven-year-old Fortify (Sweet Lou - Cant Stop Me Now) sports a 26-22-20 summary from 110 starts with more than $817,000 in earnings. He returned $22.70 to win.
For the results from Saturday's stakes-stacked card of harness racing in Campbellville, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)