by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — After finishing second in his elimination last week, driver Chris Christoforou gave Playin Time a perfect, pocket trip to capture Friday night’s (April 29) C$60,000 Ontario Spring Open final at Woodbine.

New Image Media photo

Playin Time scored in 1:52.1 in the Ontario Spring Open final.

The 3-year-old son of Mach Three showed sharp gate speed from post seven and crossed over to take the lead before the opening panel in :27. The 3-2 choice Bare Necessity (Sylvain Filion) was in the two hole ahead of a parked-out Legends Luck (Randy Waples) with Luck And Kisses (Doug McNair) sitting fourth.

Filion wasted little time as the sophomore pacers settled into position as he pulled on the right line and sent Bare Necessity to the lead well before the second quarter in :55.3. Drain Daddy (Rick Zeron) evacuated the five hole and began the first-over attack going into the far turn with Billy While Sell (Scott Zeron) tracking him.

Bare Necessity would hold a one length lead past three-quarters in 1:24.3 with Bare Necessity enjoying the pocket trip and Drain Daddy stalking on the outside.

Down the stretch, Bare Necessity was given all he could handle as Playin Time angled out of the pocket and quickly engaged command. Drain Daddy was tiring on the outside as Playin Time opened up on his rivals in deep stretch to score the victory in 1:52.1. Drain Daddy and Bare Necessity could not be separated at the wire as it was ruled a dead heat by the judges.

The victory was a new lifetime best and was just two-fifths of a second off the track record set by Storm Away in 2006.

Playin Time captured just his second career victory from 11 starts as his earnings climbed to C$60,885 for trainer Mike Brealey and owners Rodney McGrath, Wallace Gemmill, Gord Waples and Donald Watkins.

Playin Time paid $20.90 for the win.