by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Despite unfavorable conditions due to high winds occurring at Woodbine Racetrack on Monday evening (April 16), a handful of trotting divisions were featured on the 12-race card.

A pair of Tie Silk Series divisions took place in the second leg for sophomore trotting colts, as well as a trio of divisions in the inaugural edition of the Swing Into Spring Series.

Jody Jamieson piloted Knows Nothing to a 1:58.3 score in the opening Tie Silk split.

In the opening division of the Tie Silk, Knows Nothing and driver Jody Jamieson scored the victory in 1:58.3.

After notching an impressive win by seven lengths in 1:56.4 in his first career appearance, Jamieson used the same off the pace tactics as he sat behind fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:28.4 before cruising home to a two length win. Cold Certified (Jason Brewer) finished second with Cimeronken (Sylvain Filion) third.

Jeff Gillis trains and co-owns the bay colt with Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz, Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay. The son of Kadabra-Savvy Yankee increased his bankroll to $24,090 as he paid $3.10 to win as the favorite. A $65,000 yearling purchase, Knows Nothing remains eligible to the rich C$350,000 Goodtimes Trot, which is slated for June 16 at Mohawk Racetrack.

Cradabra, driven by Keith Oliver, used a perfect, pocket trip to find the winner’s circle in the second and final division at odds of 14-1.

The son of Kadabra-Crabcake Hanover sat in the two hole behind post time favorite Midfield Magic through panels of :30, 1:00.1 and 1:29.1 before angling off the pylons in deep stretch to score the win by a neck in 2:00.4 over the tempo-setter. Back To Peace (Chris Christoforou) finished third.

Trained by Bjorn Noren, the two-time winner has now banked $37,974 in career earnings for owners Howard Taylor, Claire Chappell and Order By Stable. The bay colt, who also remains eligible to the Goodtimes Trot, paid $30.50 to win.

Also on the 12-race program, older trotters contested three C$20,000 divisions in the opening round of the Swing Into Spring Series. The series is for 4-year-olds and older who were non-winners of C$50,000 lifetime (fillies and mares C$62,500 lifetime) in 2011. Horses that were 3-year-olds in 2011 are allowed 50 percent.

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Undercover Strike was a narrow winner in the Swing Into Spring Series.

After finishing second in the General Brock Series final in his most recent start, Undercover Strike found the winner’s circle in the first division for driver Jack Moiseyev.

Moiseyev urged Undercover Strike to command past the opening panel in :29.1. The veteran reinsman would then allow Assignment (Chris Christoforou) to strike the front, but quickly regained the lead past the half in :58.4.

Undercover Strike would lead his rivals past three-quarters in 1:27.1, before dashing away to win in 1:57.4. Revenue Agent (Mike Saftic) finished second with Catch The Dream (Sylvain Filion) completing the triactor.

Bill Companion trains Undercover Strike for owners Common Sense Stable, Blair Corbeil and Swissasia. The son of Striking Sahbra-Under The Pines increased his lifetime earnings to $112,120 as he paid $3.20 to win as the bettors’ choice.

Order By Roosevelt, in rein to Paul MacDonell, delivered as the favorite in the second division.

The 7-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Covent Garden went gate-to-wire through panels of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:27.3, before scoring the victory by a nose in 1:58.4. Roush Hanover (Sylvain Filion) came from off the pace to finish second with Bullet (Keith Oliver) third.

Carman Hie trains and co-owns the 13-time winner with Blake Anthony and Perry Robins. The gelding increased his career earnings to $158,632. He paid $3.70 to win.

In the final division of the night, Jason Brewer guided Rocky’s First to victory lane at odds of 9-1 in his first appearance of 2012.

The son of Hard Rock N Roll-Tara Emerald went gate-to-wire through stations of :28.1, :57 and 1:27, before brushing home to score a narrow victory in 1:57.1. A Crown For Lindy (Randy Waples) finished second, over hard-closing Amigo De Grande (Roger Mayotte).

Ed Hayter trains Rocky’s First for his father, Victor. The six-time winner has earned $81,919 lifetime. He paid $20.90 for the win.

The C$50,000 Tie Silk Series final and the second leg of the Swing Into Spring Series are slated for April 26.