by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group

CAMPBELLVILLE – Many of the continent’s top two-year-old pacers were in action Saturday night at Mohawk, in two C$40,000 eliminations for next weekend’s big prize, the $1-million Metro Pace.

The top five in each elim qualified for the September 2 final, with the winners earning the right to select their post positions.

The Metro, the richest event in North America for two-year-olds, has been won in past by such stars as Jeremes Jet, Rocknroll Hanover, Sir Luck, Mach Three, Presidential Ball and Artsplace.

Judging by the elim results, Hall of Fame driver John Campbell could be in line to register a record fifth Metro win, after steering the prohibitive 2-5 pick, Artzina, to a one and one-half length score over a closing Honky Tonk Hanover in the first elim in 1:52.3. Pandoras Sox finished third, with Laughing Art fourth and Funny Bones fifth.

The son of Artiscape left from post nine and was parked by Pandoras Sox to the first quarter in :26.3, before taking over and getting to the half in 56 seconds flat. After being headed in a bold challenge from Funny Bones approaching the three-quarters, which was reached in 1:24.4, Artzina edged away down the lane for the win, his fourth in six starts for trainer Dylan Davis.

Earlier in the year, the bay colt won the Goshen Cup on June 29, and was third to Fox Valley Barzgar in the Woodrow Wilson, August 4, after capturing his elim the week before, all at the Meadowlands.

“He’s actually a little bit better coming at horses; he pays attention a little more,” said Campbell, who last won the Metro in 2000 with Pro Bono Best. “When he was on the front, he wasn’t paying attention until that horse [Funny Bones] got up beside him. Then he dug in when I asked him and paced through the wire very well.”

“I don’t think he was quite as good [as he has been]. He hadn’t raced in three weeks or a month so I think he’s right on track to be as good next week as he has been all year. If he could come second-over, he’s got a tremendous burst of speed. It just hasn’t worked out for him that way, except for one race. But that’s when he’s at his best, when he comes off cover.”

The second elim went to another heavy favorite, Mr Apples, a son of Bettors Delight, and driver Ron Pierce, who fended off a late charge from Yankee Skyscaper to win by one length in 1:51.4. Charley Barley hung on for third, with Running Book fourth and Just Plug It In fifth.

It was the third win in five starts for the Brenda Teague-trained Mr Apples, who will renew his rivalry with Artzina in the Metro final. Artzina got the better of him by a nose in a Woodrow Wilson elim, but in the final, Mr. Apples wound up second, four lengths in front of third place finisher Artzina.

Sitting a perfect third for most of the mile, as Mattdultery cranked out some fast early fractions (:26.4 for the quarter, :54.4 at the half), Mr Apples, the 1-2 post time choice, moved to challenge around the far turn and took over from the pacesetter after the three-quarters was reached in 1:23.3. From there, Pierce kept his colt to the task, holding Yankee Skyscaper and driver John Campbell safe in the closing strides.

“I was pretty confident [about winning tonight],” said Pierce, who will be looking for his first Metro win next Saturday. “He was in with a bunch of nice colts, though. I didn’t want to come first up, but I really had no choice but to come. I just kind of sat him out there until the head of the stretch.”

The post position draw for the $1-million Metro Pace was conducted after the last elimination.

The connections of elim winners Artzina and Mr Apples were able to select their charges’ post positions for the final. The draw results are listed below.

Metro Pace
Post Position – Horse – Listed Driver
1 – Funny Bones – L. Ouellette
2 – Mr Apples – R. Pierce
3 – Artzina – J. Campbell
4 – Charley Barley – D. Miller
5 – Just Plug It In – B. Sears
6 – Honky Tonk Hanover – J. Moiseyev
7 – Laughing Art – Ma. MacDonald
8 – Yankee Skyscraper – TBA
9 – Pandoras Sox – D. Miller
10 – Running Book – S. Condren
AE1 – Shipps Camotion – M. Baillargeon