Milton, ON — For the second time since the Goodtimes Trot was introduced 19 years ago, John Bax presented the trophy for the race named in honor of his career-changing horse to himself and his partners. That honor was courtesy of Southwind Coors in an exciting C$250,000 Goodtimes final, for 3-year-old trotting colts, Saturday (June 17) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

As the race got underway, What An Angel left hard from post seven to grab the early lead, but he was covered up before the :28 opening quarter by Warrawee Yang. Gaines Hanover then swept up to grab the front well before the :55.4 half for Louis-Philippe Roy. Scott Zeron pulled the right line on Southwind Coors, sitting in fourth, and they started their charge for the top and had reached the leader by the three-quarters in 1:23.4.

As they turned for home, Gaines Hanover and Southwind Coors battled throughout the stretch with neither colt giving way to the end of a 1:52 mile in which Southwind Coors’ nose reached the wire first. Gaines Hanover, who defeated Southwind Coors by a neck in their elimination, had to settle for second. Tuscan Prince was third.

Southwind Coors (foreground) brewed up a winning performance for the Bax Stable in the Goodtimes, just nipping Gaines Hanover at the winning post. New Image Media.

James MacDonald drove Southwind Coors in his elimination but was up behind Hasty Bid, who ended up finishing fourth in the final, as he owns a share of the gelding.

“After the elimination, James asked me who I was going to go with, and I said, ‘I can throw a rock on North America Cup night and probably hit about three great drivers.’ I thought Scott was a great fit for him, and they worked well together tonight,” explained trainer Matt Bax.

Zeron noted that he talked to MacDonald before tonight’s race:

“I knew he’d raced well coming into this race; James couldn’t praise him enough. He owned his own horse in this race, so I was lucky I was able to get this one. I feel like last week he was tracking him (Gaines Hanover) late; he sure went past him after the wire. I was confident in his ability; he’s just a little bit green.

‘As much as it’s nice having everyone cheer him on, I think he was more focused on people in the crowd, and that’s why he made it as close as he did. I don’t think we hit the bottom of his lungs.”

As to whether he thought he’d won at the wire, Zeron said: “I thought I did, I don’t think his head couldn’t have been any lower to stick his nose out, so I was confident he got it.”

“It’s been a long trip with him, he was a little nervous, green,” said Matt Bax. “I have to give a lot of credit to (driver) Mike Saftic last year. He really managed him (driving him in all 11 of his rookie races). He wouldn’t be here where he is now without that. He’s been coming off trips — he likes coming off a helmet — and this year he’s really turned a corner. And coming into tonight he’s never been better,”

A $65,000 purchase at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, Southwind Coors is owned by the Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, Dave Hudson and Craig Wilson.