by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — The 2009 edition of the Maple Leaf Trot was certainly one of the most exciting races of the season anywhere in North America. Thousands of fans watched local star San Pail hand the great Lucky Jim his only loss of the campaign that night.

Lucky Jim easily won their next meeting in the Nat Ray at the Meadowlands but those eagerly anticipating a rematch in this weekend’s Maple Leaf Trot eliminations will have to wait at least one more week.

With only 13 horses entering this morning for the elims, three horses were offered byes into the final next Saturday, July 24, and the connections of Lucky Jim have opted to accept.

As the highest money winner this season in the field, the 5-year-old S J’s Photo gelding was given the option along with Enough Talk and Armbro Chronicle, who also accepted.

That means that 10 horses will compete in a single elimination this Saturday night, vying for the seven remaining spots in the lucrative final.

Defending champion San Pail made a rare break in stride in his last race and has since requalified at Mohawk on July 9, finishing second behind fellow MLT hopeful Define The World who recently returned from a stint in Europe.

Regular driver Randy Waples spoke to WEG’s Greg Gangle recently and is optimistic about his horse’s chances of repeating this year. To watch the complete interview, click here.

After his qualifying victory, Define The World competed the very next night at Georgian Downs in the C$113,000 Masters Series final where he finished second to Misterizi in 1:54.

The lone European invader this year is Reven D’Amour who has won his last two starts overseas. As a 3-year-old in 2008, he won the European championship and had an overall record of 11-7-2-0. He also won the feature race for 4-year-olds on last year’s Elitlopp undercard.

Here is the complete field in post position order:

Post–Horse–Driver
1–Slave Dream–Sylvain Filion
2–All Cantab–Trevor Ritchie
3–Lanson–Mario Baillargeon
4–Define The Word–Paul MacDonell
5–Striking Lindsey–Doug McNair
6–San Pail–Randy Waples
7–Wind Surfer–TBA
8–Triumphant Caviar–Luc Ouellette
9–Reven D’Amour–Fredrik Larsson
10–Arch Madness–Trond Smedshammer

The C$850,000 Maple Leaf Trot Final will go postward next Saturday night, July 24, at Mohawk Racetrack. The special guest of honor that evening will be former Toronto Maple Leaf great Wendel Clark.

Fans will be able to meet and greet Clark from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the first 350 fans to receive a free commemorative autograph card.

Customers can also enter to win a vintage Maple Leaf jersey and will be eligible for several ‘second chance’ draws throughout the evening.

An interactive hockey games area will be set up in the grandstand where fans will have a chance to test their puck skills and there will be a beginner betting seminar which begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Maple Leaf Trot program itself will feature a $75,000 guaranteed pool for the early Pick 4 which will conclude in race seven with the Maple Leaf Trot. Live coverage of the Maple Leaf Trot will be included in a special two hour broadcast on The Score from 9-11 p.m. (EDT).

The post draws for eliminations in both the Roses Are Red, for older pacing mares, and Armbro Flight, for older trotting mares were also conducted earlier today.

Like the Maple Leaf Trot, just a single elimination was required for each with the top money winners this season receiving the option of a bye straight to the final.

To Helen Back, A Ps Money Maker and Shanghai Lil will take byes based on highest money earned and go directly into the C$375,000 Roses Are Red final one week from Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.

The C$50,000 elimination will take place this Saturday with the top seven horses advancing to the rich final.

The field is as follows:

Post–Horse–Driver
1–Chancey Lady–Luc Ouellette
2–Ginger And Fred–Sylvain Filion
3–My Red High Heels–Phil Hudon
4–Tug River Princess–TBA
5–Miss Scarlett–Rick Zeron
6–Up Front Kellie Jo–Chris Christoforou
7–Arts Diva– Paul MacDonell
8–Forever Ivy–Charlie Norris
9–Dreamfair Eternal–Randy Waples
10–Voelz Hanover–Mario Baillargeon

Buck I St Pat from the Ron Burke stable will accept her bye this Friday and race in the C$365,000 Armbro Flight final next Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack.

The C$50,000 elimination will take place this Friday with the top nine advancing to the final.

The field is as follows:

Post–Horse–Driver
1–Diana Hall–Mark MacDonald
2–Yursa Hanover–Mario Baillargeon
3–Autumn Escapade–Trevor Ritchie
4–Southwind Wasabi–Jody Jamieson
5–Rose Run Keepsake–Paul MacDonell
6–Friendly Amigo–Trevor Ritchie
7–Lavec Dream–Luc Ouellette
8–Windsong Soprano–Steve Condren
9–Elusive Desire–Paul MacDonell
10–Kandor Hanover–Jack Moiseyev