by Mark McKelvie, Woodbine Communications

Milton, ON — Crazy Wow, piloted by Jody Jamieson, posted a barefoot 31-1 upset over favored Marion Marauder in Saturday’s (Sept. 1) C$651,000 Maple Leaf Trot, at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Trained by Marcus Melander for owners Our Horse Cents Stables, Stable 45, J And T Silva Stables LLC and Deo Volente Farms LLC, the 6-year-old son of Crazed was first off the gate and first when it mattered most in the Canadian classic.

New Image Media photo

Crazy Wow shocks the field at odds of 31-1 to capture the Maple Leaf Trot.

Will Take Charge overtook the speedy Crazy Wow and Emoticon Hanover to make the quarter in :27.1 and the half in :55.1. Ariana G moved first-over with Marion Marauder following her cover, but it was Crazy Wow, sitting second late in the turn, that had the most to offer down the lane to spring the upset in 1:51.1.

While the public was surprised, Jamieson, who previously won the Maple Leaf Trot in 2012 with Mister Herbie, was not.

“I thought I was even-money,” joked Jamieson when asked what he thought of his chances going into the race. “I talked to Marcus (Melander) and he said he was real confident in the horse. We actually hooked up jogging (in the warm ups) with St Lad’s Neptune and this horse, Crazy Wow, and he said, ‘Look at him. Look how happy he is.’ I couldn’t argue with him, the horse looked amazingly happy. When the horse saw the gate tonight he was just a different animal.”

Although it was Jamieson’s first time piloting the 6-year-old, the veteran driver performed with confidence.

“I’ve watched him race plenty of times, but I didn’t realize what kind of horse he was,” said Jamieson. “That was a big trip tonight and he made it look real easy.”

Jamieson made the winning move at the top of the lane, when squeezing inside of Will Take Charge.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to get through. Around the last turn, I was following what I figured was the best horse in the race, Will Take Charge,” said Jamieson. “And with Ariana G out there I figured maybe I’m going to be third, maybe at the very worst, and a little slim lane opened up and I jammed myself through there like I get in trouble sometimes for doing, but he just trotted right through there. Once I got through there clean it was never in doubt that he was going to win.”

Melander made the key decision to pull Crazy Wow’s shoes for the lucrative final.

“I’ve been thinking about that since I got the horse eight weeks ago,” said Melander. “We trained him our way and then he qualified good at Pocono. He was a little short last week, of course, after just one qualifier after eight weeks break.

“We were actually supposed to race barefoot last week,” continued Melander. “But, there were two scratches in the race and we only had to beat one horse, so we kept the shoes on and saved the feet on him. The track was amazing today and it was an easy decision.”

Like Jamieson, Melander approached the Maple Leaf Trot final with confidence noting that he wasn’t surprised at all with the winning effort.

“Not really when we got the one-hole. He showed that he’s been beating these horses before and the horse felt so sharp going into the race,” offered Melander. “He needed a race last week and I was very happy with him this week and he warmed up great. I know he has an extra gear when I pull the shoes, that’s for sure.”

Crazy Wow, bred by Peter Pan Stables Inc. of Ohio, paid $64.20 to win.