by Ashley Mayotte – WEG Communications
Toronto, ON — After a gate-to-wire score in the first leg of the Willowdale Pacing Series, the Jeff Gillis-trained champion, Mystician, who was the 4-1 second choice, found the winner’s circle once again the C$40,000 second leg on Saturday night at Woodbine.
Camaes Fellow and driver Doug McNair cut the mile. The pair hit the first quarter in :26, the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:23.2.
Im Feelin Good (Keith Oliver) was taken three-wide in the final turn. The gelding captured the lead from the tempo-setter in the stretch, but Mystician (Rick Zeron) was able to find clear racetrack to score the upset by a neck in 1:51.4. The even-money favorite, Westwardho Hanover (Brett Miller), finished third.
“I was real fortunate enough to catch Keith (Oliver) at the wire,” said Zeron. “He raced real well, but he is a real nice horse. I drove him and I was second in the Confederation Cup (at Flamboro Downs) last year, so I knew the horse and it was nice to get back up and drive him again.
“He seems stronger now than he was when I drove him last year in the summer time,” he added. “He is more determined to win because most horses when they are dropped off like that at the head of the stretch, they would have been happy to finish second. He didn’t, he really fought his way to victory. He has gotten stronger and smarter too.”
The 4-year-old son of Camluck-Mystic Mistress picked up his 10th lifetime victory in 34 outings, which increases his bankroll to $1,548,942 for Gillis, Ken Henwood, Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay.
Mystician paid $10.50 to win.
The C$100,000 final for 4-year-old pacers is scheduled for Saturday, January 21.
Zeron made the most of his 10 drives on the 13-race program. Including the triumph with Mystician, the Oakville resident visited the winner’s circle a total of five times Saturday evening.
The reinsman also clicked with Rate Exchange ($39.40), Kindly Poet ($8.30), Midnite Romp ($3.90) and Peenie ($26.30).