by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — Simply Mavelous pulled off the biggest win of her career with a shocking victory in Monday night’s (September 17) $126,100 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for 3-year-old filly pacers at Mohawk Racetrack in 1:50.4.

With Mike Saftic driving for the first time, the daughter of Western Maverick-Sanfran got away sixth in the field of nine and watched patiently as Milliondollarsmile jetted to command through a :26.1 first panel.

The pace remained hot as an unmanageable Iola M would not settle into a gaping three-hole and left driver Mark MacDonald no choice but to press on after the front. Randy Waples, driving Milliondollarsmile, was not about to give up the lead at that point, which made for a speedy first half of :53.4.

As the field neared three-quarters, the battling front-enders began to tire and that’s when race favorite Michelle’s Power made her move three wide with Simply Mavelous following closely on her back. Michelle’s Power took over command turning for home, but could not hold off the hard-closing Simply Mavelous who prevailed by three-quarters of a length at the finish. It was another length back to Queen Of Royalty, who finished third.

“I left a little bit and landed and caught some luck,” said driver Mike Saftic. “The half flashed up in :53, and that set it up for a closer. When you race from off the pace, you have to avoid dead cover and sometimes slow fractions, but everything worked for her tonight. I talked to Alan (co-owner/trainer Alan Guthrie), and he said she had a good week. She races in the OSS every week, and she always comes to play.”

The win was just the second this season in 24 outings and increased her seasonal bankroll to $182,724 for Guthrie, who is based out of Windsor, Ontario.

Oakville Stakes renamed the Peaceful Way

Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced that the Oakville Stakes have been renamed in honor of the great Peaceful Way, who recently retired from racing.

The Peaceful Way for 2-year-old filly trotters will now be a part of WEG’s stakes schedule for 2008.

The Canadian champion called it a career as the richest Canadian-bred trotter of all time with C$3,245,055 in earnings. The daughter of Angus Hall won 33 of 52 starts including victories in the Breeders Crown, Maple Leaf Trot, Armbro Flight, American-National and the Classic Series.

“We’re pleased to have a stake race for 2-year-old trotting fillies that will honor Peaceful Way,” said Bruce Murray, Vice-President of Standardbred Racing. “She was an extremely talented filly that demonstrated numerous times throughout her career that Ontario-sired horses can compete at the very highest level.”

Peaceful Way — last year’s champion — was honored with a trackside presentation during this year’s Maple Leaf Trot on September 15 and also led the post parade for the C$693,000 final.