Wild Ride Hanover took on the boys in Rideau’s Preferred pace last night. Not only was she victorious but she beat a prohibitive favorite from New York and set a new record for aged mares at the capital oval.
In rein to Jocelyn Gendron, five-year-old Western Ideal mare Wild Ride Hanover defeated, among others, the highly-touted New York invader Blue Boy. Age four, Blue Boy has been a player at the Preferred and Free For All ranks at Yonkers and Saratoga, with’09 earnings of $234,850
Wild Ride Hanover stalked from a mid-pack position and allowed Imjustalittleguy to put on an uncharacteristic early tussle with the front-loving Best Show In Town. The ‘Little Guy’ was stung to an opening quarter of :26.4 before clearing the lead just before the three-eighths mile marker. That prompted Denis St Pierre, on board Blue Boy, to attack first over, sensing that Imjustalittleguy might now be vulnerable.
Pierre's strategy backfired, as the two battled for much of the mile through fractions of :56.2, and 1:23.4. That’s when Gendron made his move at the head of the stretch, taking the passing lane home to score the victory over tiring rivals.
The mile time of 1:53.1, shaved one-fifth of a second of the previous mark for aged mares set by Parsons Daughter in 2004.
Wild Ride Hanover rewarded her backers well, returning $34.30 to win. The victory was the 23rd of her career and brought her career earnings to $200,175
Huge Place Payout
Driver Emil Toth doesn’t get his picture taken too often. The Rideau regular, still winless in ’09, has only hit the board five times this year. When he does hit the ticket however, it usually sears the circuitry in the tote board. That’s what happened last night when he steered Grayson Seelster to a second place finish in Rideau's 13th race. The place payout was a stunning $368.50!
(Rideau Carleton Raceway)