Milton, ON — John Calabrese took the lead and never looked back in progress to a 1:53.1 win with Bettor Than Pride in the C$14,000 Billings Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Oct. 14).
Leaving from post seven, Calabrese crossed to command with Bettor Than Pride and pocketed 9-5 favorite Typhoon Stride N (Robert Ciavardini) to a :27.1 first quarter. Calabrese stayed on the pedal up the backside to a :55.4 half while his peers in rear continued to chase.
Little motion came from the backfield through the final turn — stymied by HF Pans Shadow (Marc Andre Pilon) getting rough in stride — while Bettor Than Pride remained on the muscle to three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Bettor Than Pride held his ground through the long stretch as Typhoon Stride N angled outside to challenge but settled for second, beaten a length. Rilkoff (Julie Walker), the longest shot on the board, rallied for third.
Des Tackoor trains and co-owns Bettor Than Pride, a 5-year-old gelding by Betterthancheddar, with Ryan Willis. He paid $9.80 to win.