by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto, April 15, 2005… Three-year-old trotters are set to take the stage during Monday evening’s C$18,000 second leg of the Tie Silk Series from Woodbine. And, as tough as it may be to handicap green non-winners of $30,000 in 2004, there seems to be a couple of players who look destined to finish on the board during the pair of dashes.

Looks Like Gold, a gelded son of Earl trained by Paul Skjaker, has drawn the five-hole in the eight-horse opening division, which is scheduled to go to post at 8:44 p.m. as the night’s fourth race.

After not landing in the winner’s circle in seven races as a two-year-old, Looks Like Gold broke his maiden during last week’s Tie Silk opener. The gelding started from post seven last week at odds of 2-1 and went gate-to-wire in 2:00.4, posting a 5½-length margin of victory.

Looks Like Gold, who is a bay out of the Royal Troubador mare Our Royal Gem, is owned by Terry and Clarence Devos and George Zirnis.

Looks Like Gold’s regular pilot, Mike Saftic, is again listed to perform the driving duties and the duo have been listed as the 3-1 second choice in the morning line.

Armbro Carlyle, who is trained by Bob McIntosh and is to be driven by Jack Moiseyev, has drawn post position five and has been made the 2-1 morning line choice.

Armbro Carlyle, who is unbeaten in his two starts this season, skipped the Tie Silk’s first leg, but has dismantled his competition at Western Fair Raceway this season, posting open length scores in both starts.

McIntosh owns Armbro Carlyle (Conway Hall—Mine Again) along with Mooretown, Ontario’s Paul Ysebaert.

A pair of opening round foes will renew acquaintances in Monday’s second division, as Armbro Chaperon (PP4, Steve Condren, 7-5) and Mr Willco (PP8, Roger Mayotte, 7-2) are set to lock horns again in the sixth race (9:26 p.m.).

Armbro Chaperon (Garland Lobell—B B Doll) got the better of Mr Willco (Mr Lavec—Devilish Hanover) in last week’s Tie Silk opener, as he collared the tempo-setter late, posting a head victory in 1:58.1.

Trainer Susie Kerwood co-owns Armbro Chaperon along with Karin Olsson Burgess. His victory last week came in his debut, as Armbro Chaperon had come into the Tie Silk off one impressive qualifier at Mohawk on March 28.

Armbro Chaperon has been given the favourite status in the morning line and has been pegged at 7-5.

Mr Willco, who is conditioned by Ron Waples, made a quarter pole move to the front last week and cut the rest of the fractions before being caught late.

The brown gelding is owned by Dean Zaimes and Amphilaniklou Inc. and Waples will be handing driver Roger Mayotte Mr Willco’s lines for the first time.

The complete fields for the two divisions are as follows:

Division #1

PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Line
1 – Berning Image – R. Mayotte – L. Small – 12-1
2 – Orion King – L. Ouellette – R. Dincognito – 7-1
3 – E L Forest – Ma. MacDonald – J. Barrington – 8-1
4 – Keystone Yonkers – C. Christoforou – R. Laarman – 7-2
5 – Looks Like Gold – M. Saftic – P. Skjaker – 3-1
6 – Armbro Carlyle – J. Moiseyev – R. McIntosh – 2-1
7 – Go Power – J. Jamieson – M. Guitard – 10-1
8 – Justincrediblealex – W. Megens – W. Megens – 15-1

Division #2

PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Line
1 – A Hay Luva Paige – S. Weber – Dr. J. Hayes – 8-1
2 – Way Up North – M. Baillargeon – K. Davidson – 8-1
3 – Muscles Serenade – W. O’Donnell – W. O’Donnell – 10-1
4 – Armbro Chaperon – S. Condren – S. Kerwood – 7-5
5 – Hilo Hattie – Ra. Waples – D. Green – 8-1
6 – Brawn Seelster – J. Moiseyev – R. McIntosh – 5-2
7 – Victory Balance – T. Ritchie – R. Montgomery – 12-1
8 – Mr Willco – R. Mayotte – Ro. Waples – 7-2