from the Woodbine Publicity Department
Rexdale, ON — Eight Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finals were contested on Saturday night (November 13) at Woodbine. Each carried a purse of $252,000.
Here is a brief recap of each event.
Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Yes, the broken record will continue to play. Irwin Stables Inc. and MMR Stables Inc.’s Invitro ($2.10) was dominant yet again, scoring in a time of 1:52.1.
With show wagering taken off the board and Invitro an overwhelming 1-9 favourite, she once again showed why she has been simply fantastic this season.
Occupying the four hole past the opening quarter, Invitro used a massive brush to the front before the half and did what she does best from there on in. It was the second Super Final win on the night for Paul MacDonell.
Serious Comfort (Roger Mayotte) and Taylor Lynne (Jody Jamieson) finished second and third respectively.
Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
In another dash where show wagering was taken off the board, Perfect World Enterprises’ Geartogear, a 1-9 favourite, almost got caught late, but hung on for a 1:50.4 score.
There was plenty of movement in the early going, but driver Kevin Wallis placed Geartogear on the lead before the three-quarter pole and he would stay there for good.
In the lane, Galantine Hanover (Luc Ouellette) closed like a rocket, forcing Wallis to employ an array of whip tap urging which paid off in full.
Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Laying off the early tempo, Chris Christoforou drove Goin My Way Stable, Dave Tingley and Angie Stiller’s Peaceful Way, the daughter of Angus Hall, masterfully in setting the O.S.S. record of 1:54 in the process.
Trophy Hall (Mike Saftic) cut all of the early fractions. Peaceful Way sat third-over in the final turn and when Christoforou angled her four-wide she simply took off. It was tight for second, as both drivers Luc Ouellette (Bliss) and Steve Condren (McCall Magic) had their mounts (also daughters of Angus Hall) under urging for the largest of the spoils.
Completing a miniscule Pick 3 of $1.55, Peaceful Way made coming from post nine look like a walk in the park.
Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Going first-up from third in the second quarter, Fed Monteleone Stable’s Cincinnati Kid ($3.20) made the lead before the half and was a convincing, wrapped up winner for Trevor Ritchie in 1:55.
Coming in from his impressive performance in the Breeders Crown, Cincinnati Kid bettered Loose Change Louie (Chris Christoforou), who came from second-over in the lane and charged home strongly. Coventry and driver D.R. Ackerman also finished up strongly and picked up the show dough.
Two-Year-Old Filly Pace
Sent off at 2-5, Gaetan Hebert’s Lady Dillinger and Mario Baillargeon got the job done in a new life’s mark of 1:52.3, which also tied the existing O.S.S. record.
There were some anxious moments though for the daughter of D M Dillinger. While second-over behind Lucks Mistress in the backstretch, Lady Dillinger had to keep her composure as Lucks Mistress broke and had to be taken to the outside.
Advancing on and clearing after the half, Lady Dillinger met the wire first and stopped Claires Apache and Pacific Supreme.
Two-Year-Old Colt Pace
Sent off at odds of 1-5, David Scharf, Jerry Silva, Sampson Street Stables, and Peter Heffering’s Isle Of Patmos ($2.70) wired his rivals in a mark-lowering, 1:51.4 mile, which was just one-fifth of a second off of the O.S.S. record.
Minutes before post time, trainer Capone discussed a minor foot problem on the Astreos youngster, but the outcome of the race couldn’t have been any better.
The win was the second Super Final score on the night for driver Luc Ouellette. Silent Swing (Randy Waples) and Pacific Admiral (Chris Christoforou) both closed well for the runner up positions.
Two-Year-Old Filly Trot
Tipping out first-over during the last stages of the final turn, Luc Ouellette guided Joie De Vie Farm’s Fan Favourite ($13.70) to the maiden-breaking score in a time of 1:59.2.
The story in this one was the front-end battle between Lookit (Wayne Henry) and Elena (Trevor Ritchie) in the middle half. Henry filed a driver’s objection with the judges after Ritchie cleared to the lead with his charge before the three-quarter pole. When Ritchie cleared, Henry’s mount broke while in the newly acquired two hole. The claim was subsequently disallowed.
Gaelic, who finished second after drawing in off of the also eligible list, raced game and was key in the attractive $1,882.90 triactor return. Elena held on for third. Heavily-backed Honour Way made a break off the gate, but rallied back to finish fourth.
Two-Year-Old Colt Trot
After starting from post four and racing as the 4-5 favourite, Stanley Malec’s Classic Lavec ($3.90) wired his rivals for driver Paul MacDonell in a mark-equaling 1:57.3 mile.
Feeling Frazzled and driver Ray Kinney sat second the whole way and couldn’t collar Classic Lavec late. Mill Work and trainer/driver Rick Zeron were first-over from mid-pack in the stretched out field and raced well to finish third.
Sons of Mr Lavec finished first, second and third in this one.