by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group
Toronto, January 23, 2005… When Guelph, Ontario’s Paul MacDonell drove Rockingham, a four-year-old Hearty Welcome pacer, to the wire first on Sunday, he also hit a milestone, as it was his 3,500th career win in the sulky.
MacDonell, who will turn 42 years old this coming Jan. 29, started from the outside post position nine with Rockingham in the C$17,000 conditioned pace. Sent away at odds of 12-1, Rockingham returned $26.60 on a winning ticket.
MacDonell is coming into the 2005 season off of what is arguably his most accomplished season to date.
The Orono, Ontario native finished second overall in earnings category on the WEG circuit last year and was fourth overall in regards to wins with 217.
MacDonell drove WEG’s 2004 Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year, Invitro, to over $1 million in earnings last year alone and also sat behind the incomparable Admirals Express in his gritty efforts.
Y CHANCE IT WINS PREFERRED TROT
Reunited with Randy Fritz, his regular partner, Y Chance It did Sunday afternoon what he does best during the winter months at Woodbine: beat up on the upper class trotting fields.
On the rebound from a broken clavicle sustained in a driving accident on Dec. 18 at Georgian Downs, Fritz led the six-year-old gelded son of Yentls Image to his third victory in four starts this season during the C$40,000 Preferred Trot (Race 3).
Sent off as the 3-5 choice in the eight-horse field, the duo started from post six and were parked in third to the opening call, which was reached by Wide Angle Hanover (Jody Jamieson) in :28.2. Trudging to the point in the second panel, Fritz and the bay gelding settled on the cones, met the half in :58.1 and passed the three-quarters pole in 1:28. Repelling a valiant effort from Treasure Hunt (Mark MacDonald) in the lane, Y Chance It ($3.30, $3.00, $2.40) sailed through the stretch for a 3¼-length victory in 1:57.2.
Conditioned by Peter Houck, Treasure Hunt ($4.30, $4.50) bottomed the $20.60 exactor after going three-high from fourth in the last turn. Driven by Phil Hudon for trainer Harry Poulton, Henninger T ($4.40) finished 5¼-lengths back in third and completed the $90.20 triactor.
Owned by trainer Ron O’Neill along with Paul Larrabee and Lynda Franklin, Y Chance It now has 29 overall victories.
“I was a little nervous because it’s been a while since I’ve driven him,” Fritz said about getting behind Y Chance It for the first time since his injury. “He was good the last time I had driven him and he was good today. He’s a pretty smart horse.”
Nearly through his first full week back in the sulky, Fritz said that his collarbone feels good and he is ready to go.
“It feels good. [The doctors] said that it was going to take about four to six weeks to heal, and it’s been right in the middle pretty much,” said Fritz. “It feels really strong. I think the way it broke was a little different, so I can pull on a horse, but it hurts to push.”