by Mark McKelvie for WEG

Toronto, ON — Legion of Boom lowered the boom with a 42-1 upset in the Ontario Boys Series final Saturday (Feb. 27) night at Woodbine Racetrack.

A compact field of six competed in the C$45,000 final of the three week series event for Ontario sired four-year-olds.

Headlining the group of six was a pair of Richard Moreau trainees. Cajon Lightning entered the final off a victory in leg one and a third in leg two, while Rafa looked to turn the tables after finishing second in both preliminary legs.

Legion Of Boom and driver Doug McNair left hard off the gate, but Rafa and Sylvain Filion also had the same strategy. McNair opted to drop in behind Rafa and take the two-hole trip.

Rafa, who was 8-5, posted an opening-quarter of :27.1 and a half of :56. Outside challengers developed around the final turn with Mach Code first-up and Cajon Lightning, the 4-5 favorite, second-over.

After reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:24, Rafa led the field into the stretch looking for the gate-to-wire victory.

In the stretch, McNair came off the pylons with Legion Of Boom and the 42-1 longshot grinded away at Rafa. Cajon Lightning also came charging with late speed and Half A Billion was flying from the back to make it a four-across finish.

Legion Of Boom hit the wire first in 1:53.1 to win by a head over Cajon Lightning. Half A Billion finished a neck back in third, while Rafa was defeated by just a half a length, but finished fourth.

A 4-year-old son of Artistic Fella, Legion Of Boom had just one win in six starts this season entering the Ontario Boys final. He finished sixth in both preliminary legs.

Legion Of Boom is co-owned by driver Doug McNair, who shares ownership of the gelding with Equus Standardbreds Inc. Gregg McNair is the conditioner of the 4-year-old.

Saturday’s victory was the sixth career win for Legion Of Boom and it increases his career earnings to over C$92,000. The clocking of 1:53.1 also established a new career mark for the son of Artistic Fella.

Legion Of Boom paid $86.20 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Ontario Boys, the Ontario sired 4-year-olds had to be non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2015.