by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group
Toronto, January 2, 2005… The C$55,000 opening leg of the Horsemen’s Trotting Series was contested Sunday afternoon over a very sloppy Woodbine oval. Five seconds in time was allotted by the judges, but the conditions did not stop either Y Chance It or Chip Dot Com from getting their work done in the four-year-old and older division.
Y Chance It ($4.50, $3.20, $2.50) and driver Paul MacDonell got the job done in the first division, as they took the gate-to-wire route and stopped the timer in 1:57.4.
Parked to the opening quarter in :28.1, the son of Yentls Image cleared the point shortly thereafter, met the half in :59 flat and passed the three-quarters pole in 1:28.1. Out of the Super Pleasure mare Fannies Biggal Two, Y Chance It scored by 5¾-lengths for his first victory as a six-year-old.
In rein to Charles Dillander, Upalazyriver ($10.00, $7.30) completed the $38.10 exactor. Six lengths back in third, JM Vangogh ($6.40) and trainer-driver Ron Waples bottomed out the $251.50 tricator.
Trained by co-owner Ron O’Neill for his fellow Ontario-based partners Paul Larrabee and Lynda Franklin, Y Chance It earned his 27th career victory.
The second division went to Chip Dot Com ($25.40, $9.90, $5.40) and driver Mario Baillargeon after the duo also did the trick in gate-to-wire style.
After slicing fractions of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:28.3 the seven-year-old gelded son of Pine Chip stopped the clock in 1:58 flat.
Trainer-driver Keith Jones and his pupil Abbey Road C ($10.90, $4.50) finished 2¼-lengths back in second and completed the $159.40 exactor. Three-and-half lengths back in third, Just A Lad ($2.30) and driver Rick Zeron were part of the $696.70 triactor.
Conditioned by Richard Moreau for Rideau Ferry, Ontario’s Dobe Stables, Chip Dot Com earned his 24th career tally.
The C$55,000 second leg of the Horsemen’s Trotting Series is scheduled for next Sunday, January 9 at Woodbine.
The Lifetime Dream Series for four-year-old trotting mares kicks off tomorrow evening at Woodbine with its C$20,000 opening leg divisions highlighting the card.