by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Toronto, ON — Richard Moreau’s barn put together a fantastic evening to highlight the final Saturday (April 8) night card of the Woodbine Racetrack meet.
Canada’s reigning Trainer of the Year, Richard Moreau, sent out five winners on Saturday’s 10-race card. Leading the way for Moreau’s barn was American Virgin, who scored his fifth consecutive victory in the C$34,000 Preferred.
New Image Media photo
American Virgin made a third to first move in the second quarter-mile and never looked back to defeat four rivals in 1:50.4.
Driven by Doug McNair, American Virgin made a third to first move in the second quarter-mile and never looked back to defeat four rivals in 1:50.4. The 5-year-old gelded son of Always A Virgin is now seven for 11 this season and has earned a nation leading $140,080 in 2017.
Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. owns American Virgin.
Driver Louis Philippe Roy piloted Moreau’s four other winners on Saturday evening’s card. The young reinsman from Quebec steered overnight pacers Rockin Wizard, Traceur Hanover, Twomacsonemach and Carracci Hanover to victory. Since the start of 2017, Moreau’s barn has recorded 44 victories at Woodbine.
Also on Saturday, 5-year-old pacer Luke And Duke and driver Steve Bryon scored a 41-1 upset victory in the Jackpot Hi-5 race. The longshot winner helped wipe all but one of the Hi-5 tickets to allow a horseplayer to hit the Jackpot.
The single-winning 20-cent ticket scored a return of $141,059.11. The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover, which sat at $118,631 heading into Saturday’s card, had been growing since March 13.
The 2016-17 Woodbine fall-winter meet comes to a close on Monday (April 10). Moreau will look to finish off the meet in style when he sends out three starters on the 10-race card.
Post time Monday is 7:30 p.m.