by Ashley Mayotte, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — After being parked out the entire mile, Bullet was still able to pull off a 9-1 upset in the C$50,000 Swing Into Spring Series final on Monday night (May 7) at Woodbine.

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Bullet was a 1:53.1 winner in the Swing Into Spring Series final.

The Anthony Montini trainee used a second-over trip to capture the inaugural edition of the series, which is for older trotters, in a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1.

Rocky’s First (Jason Brewer), who was looking for the series sweep, showed early speed off the gate to clock the opening panel in a flashy :26. A parked-out Undercover Strike (Jack Moiseyev) was taken to the front into the backstretch.

The 2-1 favorite was not content with the pocket spot and re-moved to retake command before the half in :54.4. He then passed the three-quarters in 1:24.

Parked-out every step, Poof K (Sylvain Filion) added pressure to Rocky’s First in the final turn, while driver Keith Oliver and Bullet tracked cover.

In the stretch, Bullet was full of trot when he was given clear racetrack and opened up on his rivals to win by 3-1/4 lengths. A late-rallying Dukester (Chris Christoforou) and A Crown For Lindy (Randy Waples) got up for second and third, respectively.

“Last week we got caught in and never got to race him,” said Oliver of the brown gelding, who finished third in both preliminary legs. “I think if he got out last week he could have won, but I think that made him much stronger tonight.”

The reinsman praises Bullet’s ability to adapt to any situation.

“You can do whatever you want,” said Oliver. “You can leave with him, you can take him off, you can race him anywhere. He has won from everywhere and tonight he won from second-over. He is very versatile.”

The son of Windsong’s Legacy-Pine Potion improved his 2012 record to 2-2-6 in 14 starts for owners Albina Montini, Paul Giammichele and Adelio Cicchetti. The seven-time winner has stashed away C$151,891 in his career.

Bullet paid $21.80, $9.10 and $5.90, combining with Dukester ($47.50, $19.20) for a $624.70 exactor. A Crown For Lindy ($8.10) completed a $12,975.30 triactor.