by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Jackets Required got redemption for his first-round disqualification in the Diplomat Pacing Series by winning the lone C$25,000 division in the second leg on Saturday night (May 1) at Woodbine Racetrack.

The compact son of Allamerican Ingot-Eve Of The Ball took control of the race, which is open to 3-year-old colts and geldings, from the outset and jetted to command for driver Randy Waples from post six through a first quarter of :26.3 with last week’s winner, Mcaracas, taking back to sixth position.

Jackets Required had Affleck on his outside but not advancing in the second quarter, so Waples took advantage of the situation and backed the half off to :56.3. Meanwhile, Mcaracas, who had also moved to the outside, was forced to make an early three-wide move around the stalled challenger.

Mcaracas came with a rush and got about half a length past Jackets Required in the third quarter before getting out of gear and putting in some rough steps. Waples, sensing this, asked his colt for more and he regained command at the three-quarters in 1:23.3 at which point Mcaracas rolled off stride and took himself out of it.

In the stretch, Jackets Required rebuffed one last challenge from Top Gear to score by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51.3. It was another five lengths back to Legal Justice who finished third. The winner returned $9.80 as the second choice in the wagering.

“You know he (Jackets Required) got tossed out last week, so we had to get a big chunk of it to get into the final,” said Waples. “You know he got out of there good and it just worked out my way. I was trying to go as much as I could on the front end and then when I saw Ricky’s (Zeron) horse (Affleck) laboring out of there from the nine hole I just used him as a bit of a pick for a while. When he came I just decided to leave him out on the turn and roll the dice. It worked out good.”

The victory was the fourth in just six trips postward this season for Jackets Required who is co-owned by trainer Bob McIntosh along with Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. The winner’s share of the purse boosted his bankroll to just over C$36,000.

Jackets Required finished second in the opening round of the series but was subsequently placed back to seventh for causing interference while on a break just past the half.

The C$80,000 Diplomat Pacing Series final will go postward next Saturday night (May 8) from Woodbine.

To view complete reaction from Randy Waples, click here.