by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Real Celebration took the first of two C$35,000 Cam Fella Pacing Series splits on Saturday evening (March 14) at Woodbine by a half-length, while Livefreeordiehard captured his division by a more generous margin of one length.

New Image Media photo

Real Celebration was a 1:52.1 winner in his Cam Fella Pacing Series division.

Jason Brewer played a waiting game with Real Celebration while several colts jockeyed for position in the first of the two events. Favorite Beach Boy Toy (Rick Zeron) briefly held the early lead before being overtaken by Anderlecht (Mark MacDonald) at the half-mile marker. With Shiny Mach (Jack Moiseyev) coming on his outside and Avalon Promise (Jody Jamieson) second-over, Beach Boy Toy found himself boxed in with nowhere to go.

Anderlecht held onto the front down the stretch, but was gradually worn down by Real Celebration, who went on to win in 1:52.1, and longshot Avalon Promise, who captured second. Shiny Mach, in his first start after being involved in an eight-horse wreck on March 2, held on for fourth.

Real Celebration, a 4-year-old gelded son of Real Artist, is trained by Casie Coleman for J. Robert Darrow, C. Ed Mullinax and Ron Broadstone. This was his first win in five tries this season, and will push his earnings over the C$100,000 mark.

Livefreeordiehard used a strong closing kick to claim the second Cam Fella division, defeating newcomer Dancing With Fire in 1:51.3. Jody Jamieson positioned the son of Western Hanover in fifth in the early going while My Masterpiece and Mike Saftic did the heavy lifting up front, with Card Dealer (Paul MacDonell) tucked into the pocket spot.

At the half, Dancing With Fire (Luc Ouellette) made a move, getting as far as My Masterpiece’s wheels. He forced Livefreeordiehard to go two-wide in deep stretch, but the colt was up to the task and sprinted away to win, with Dancing With Fire trailing in second, and Monster In Law (Jason Brewer) a surprise third. My Masterpiece faded to sixth.

Janet Ho owns Livefreeordiehard, and Rob Fellows conditions. This was the colt’s second win in eight tries this year.

The final of the Cam Fella Pacing Series goes postward next Saturday night, March 21, at Woodbine.