Handicappers certainly did their homework when it came to figuring out the winners in Monday’s first round of the Lifetime Dream Trotting Series at Woodbine Racetrack, as all three $25,000 divisions went to pari-mutuel favourites.
Mojo N The Morning, fresh off her sweep of the Ontario Sired Autumn Series elimination and final, took the opening split for driver Jack Moiseyev in 1:59.2.
The Frank Colville-trained four-year-old daughter of Angus Hall parked past the opening quarter in :30.2 before brushing to the top and laying down fractions of 1:00.4 and 1:30.2 en route to the 1:59.2 score. Nashotah sat the pocket trip throughout and finished second while La Dolce rounded out the top three.
Joanne Colville of Moffat, ON holds the papers on the career winner of $91,080, who delivered as the 6-5 favourite.
Duchessofnorthyork, who was regarded as the 3-2 choice, went gate-to-wire in a time of 1:58.2 in her division for the duo of trainer Kevin McMaster and driver Luc Ouellette.
The four-year-old Duke Of York miss was in charge through panels of :28.4 and :59.1 before hooking up in a back half battle with Northern Flare, who prompted the leader to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.2. Duchessofnorthyork back that challenger, who had to settle for the runner-up award. Third prize went to Fa Mulan.
It was the fourth lifetime victory for Duchessofnorthyork, who has banked in excess of $72,000 for the partnership of Larry Murrell, North York Stables and McMaster Stables Inc.
Glide Sally Glide needed every inch of the racetrack to post a narrow 1:57.3 victory in the third division for the duo of trainer Brian Lee and driver Mario Baillargeon.
Baillargeon got away third with the four-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide, who watched Frenchfrysnvinegar throw down solid early fractions of :27.2 and :57.3. Glide Sally Glide edged off the rail at the mid-way point and pushed the leader to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.
The battle continued the length of the stretch, with Glide Sally Glide using a :29.2 final frame to deliver the knock out punch. Frenchfrysnvinegar fought a good fight but came up a head short. Scottish Cross closed well to finish third.
Winning as the 1-2 favourite, Glide Sally Glide picked up the seventh win of her career for Indiana partners Alan White and Doug Rideout. The mare has banked $87,652 to date.
Round two of the Lifetime Dream Trotting Series is scheduled for next Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with the $54,000 final slated for Monday, January 19.
To view Monday’s results, click here.