by Greg Blanchard for WEG

Toronto, ON — Midnite Romp turned in a gritty first-over effort to score an upset win in Saturday’s single C$20,000 division in the second round of the Count B Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Woodbine Racetrack.

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Midnite Romp scored an upset win in Saturday’s C$20,000 division in the second round of the Count B Pacing Series at Woodbine Racetrack.

Racing as part of a two-horse entry, the gelded son of Million Dollar Cam – Late Nite Out got away fifth in the bulky 11-horse field from post one and watched as leg-one winner Herestopatrick put up the first quarter in :28.1.

As the field straightened towards the half, My Gift To You, racing as part of a favored entry from the Mark Ford Stable, blasted out from third to take command just past the half in :57.2. At that stage, driver Rick Zeron sent Midnite Romp out from fifth but was unable to flush any cover and the pair found themselves parked in third past the third panel in 1:25.4.

Midnite Romp was still more than a length off the pacesetter when the field turned for home, but he continued to dig in and eventually forged his way to command in the late stages for a half-length decision over My Gift To You. It was another length back to Herestopatrick who landed the show spot.

It was the first win of the season in three tries and just the second lifetime for Midnite Romp who is trained by David Gibson for the David Goodrow Stable of Cambridge and Glenn Tarver of Scarborough, Ontario.

The C$50,000 Final of The Count B Pacing Series will go postward next Friday night at Woodbine.