by Jeff Renton, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — 5-year-old Peaceful Way, the only mare in the field of 10 older trotters, struck a blow for the ladies on Saturday night (September 9) at Mohawk Racetrack with a dominating performance in the C$877,500 Maple Leaf Trot.

WEG Photo

Peaceful Way won the Maple Leaf Trot in 1:53.3.

With ‘Trottin’ Trevor Ritchie at the controls, Peaceful Way, sent postward as the 5-1 second choice behind the prohibitive 1-5 favorite Sand Vic in the 55th edition of one of Canada’s classic harness races, was hustled to the front just before the half in :55.4. From there, the daughter of Angus Hall was in complete control, increasing her margin to two lengths after the three-quarters was reached in 1:24.3, before storming home in 1:53.3, winning by three and three-quarter lengths over 42-1 longshot Stiletto, with another longshot, 24-1 Med Vac, back in third.

“It feels great,” said Ritchie, celebrating his second Maple Leaf win after scoring with Rotation in 2003. “It’s an honor to be in this race and a bigger honor when you can get to win it. Everybody thought Brian’s horse (Sand Vic) was the horse to beat. But I always had confidence in this mare. You’re on your home turf. This is one of the premier events. It’s just a real thrill.”

While her brilliant career has earned Peaceful Way divisional honors and a career bankroll in excess of $2.5 million from her latest (and 32nd) victory, the Maple Leaf Trot triumph may very well have been her crowning moment, according to her trainer and
co-owner Dave Tingley. She also became the first mare since Franconia in 1987 to win the prestigious race.

Especially after the build-up leading to last year’s Maple Leaf Trot, when that renewal was billed as a Battle of the Sexes between Mr Muscleman and Peaceful Way. As it turned it, that battle was over early, as Peaceful Way tried to challenge Mr Muscleman at the half but made an uncharacteristic break and finished last. What a difference a year makes.

“This is pretty sweet,” said Tingley. “She’s always getting a little knock here and there, not winning the big one. Not too many mares can go beat the boys like she did tonight. She hadn’t raced for a month and last week was a pretty good effort (when she finished second to Sand Vic in her elimination). Obviously, Sand Vic wasn’t on his game tonight and that’s too bad for his connections. But we’ll capitalize on it.”

Meanwhile, Sand Vic, with driver Brian Sears, seemed to flounder throughout and was never really in it, eventually finishing fourth, seven and one-half lengths in arrears.

With most of the show pool money on Sand Vic, the mutuel board lit up. Peaceful Way returned $13.90, $6.20 and $10.80, while Stiletto paid $32.30 and $44.10, with Med Vac worth $37.20 to show. A 1-9 exactor paid $587.30, while a 1-9-4 triactor paid $5,762.