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

Rexdale, ON — One needed every inch of the racetrack and the other was a wrapped-up winner, but both Bubba Dunn and Cosington returned tempting prices in the second leg of the Horsemen’s Series on Sunday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack.

Woodbine Photo

Bubba Dunn scored in 1:56 for driver Chris Christoforou

After being a nose short of a victory in last week’s leg, Bubba Dunn and driver Chris Christoforou turned the tables and came on to win by the same margin in 1:56 during the afternoon’s opening split.

A handful of trotters left hard off the gate, but it was Abbey Road C with driver-trainer Keith Jones who led the rest of the field of 11 into the first turn. After plugging in fractions of :27, :57, and 1:26, Abbey Road C was passed in the lane by the Trevor Ritchie-driven Orbit, who had been jettisoned from the pocket. Christoforou tipped Bubba Dunn wide of Orbit in the final strides and prevailed in a win photo.

All That Snazz and catch-driver Steve Condren skimmed the cones late and grabbed third and finished two and three-quarter lengths back and an attractive Triactor was in order.

For his 12th career victory and his first of the year, Bubba Dunn, a Nat Varty-conditioned gelding, returned $22.90, $10.50, and $7.20 to his supporters. Orbit ($19.60, $11.60) completed a $449.50 Exactor and All That Snazz ($11.60) was the final piece of the $6,366.50 Triactor.

Ira Kristel of Manhasset, N.Y., holds the ownership papers of Bubba Dunn, an Inquirer–Lady Overcomer 5-year-old. The bay, who with the effort lowered his life’s mark, now has $32,203 in earnings this year and has won $289,039 in his career.

Leaving from the end of the gate at 10-1, Trevor Ritchie and the David Menary-trained Cosington romped in the second division, also in a life’s mark of 1:55.

After making an early break and being distanced last week, Cosington bounced back with a gate-to-wire effort and finished four and three-quarter lengths ahead of Gypsy Balance and five and one-half lengths ahead of Earl Of Brant.

Cosington, who is a 5-year-old Malabar Man–Classical Speed gelding owned by Todd and John Gimblett of Whitby, Ont., recorded his 10th career victory and his first of the year.

The fractions were :28.1, :57⁴ and 1:26¹ before Cosington came home with a :28⁴ final quarter-mile.

Cosington tossed prices of $23.80, $10.00, and $6.70 across the board and combined with Gypsy Balance ($4.10, $3.20) for a $141.40 Exactor. The $1,054.00 Triactor was capped by Earl Of Brant, who returned $5.90 to show.

With the victory, Cosington raised his 2004 earnings to $21,560 and his lifetime bankroll to $131,437.

The conclusion of the Horsemen’s Series will play out next Sunday afternoon, January 18 at Woodbine. Monday evening’s program of racing will be highlighted by a pair of C$20,000 second leg divisions of the Lifetime Dream Series. The first division has been carded as race three and will go to post at 8:22 p.m. (EST), and the second as race five, which will go to post at (9:04 p.m. The first race will go to post at 7:40 p.m. and may be seen live, coast-to-coast in Canada, on the Score Television Network.