by Jeff Renton, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto, ON — He may have missed the winner’s circle in the opening legs, but Kindly Poet ($9.00, $5.60, $3.60) was game on Saturday night (March 17) at Woodbine in the C$67,000 final of the Cam Fella Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-olds.

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Kindly Poet won the Cam Fella Pacing Series Final for Randy Waples.

After receiving a second-over trip from pilot Randy Waples, the Murray Brethour-trained son of Western Ideal fired from cover off the final turn, repelled a spirited bid from Jeremy Sharky (driven by Mike Saftic) and notched a half-length victory in 1:52.1. Jeremy Sharky ($9.70, $5.20) bottomed the attractive $91.70 exactor, while JK Big Shot and pilot Mark MacDonald rallied for third (2-1/4 lengths in arrears) and bottomed the $404.60 triactor. Sea Dragon and Matty McGee finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Owned by the Canamerica Capital Corporation and breeder Stephen Scarff, Kindly Poet had finished second in the opening leg and third in the second round, but would go on to post his fifth career triumph in the Cam Fella final, pocketing a cool C$33,500 for his troubles.

Parked to the opening quarter (:27.2) when the festivities got underway, Mark MacDonald had his mind set on the lead early, as he settled JK Big Shot on the front after the opening stanza. The son of The Panderosa was then instantly engaged by Matty McGee, as Anthony MacDonald rushed up to capture the point well before the half-mile indicator flashed in :55.3.

Having gotten away in fifth from the rail spot, Waples bided his time with Kindly Poet. The pair worked out a second-over trip once driver Paul MacDonell and Jersey Dan decided to make a first-up move on Matty McGee heading into the final turn.

Just after the third stanza flashed to life in 1:23.4, Waples pulled on the 4-year-old gelding and began to carve his path through the lane.

Jeremy Sharky made a good effort in the stretch, but had too far to come and just fell short.

From three starts so far in ’07, Kindly Poet sports a record of 1-1-1 and C$46,450 in purse earnings.