by Greg Gangle – WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Driver Simon Allard teamed up with his younger brother Rene to score a 20-1 upset with Stonebridge Bonus to capture the Autumn Stakes final for 2-year-old colt pacers at Woodbine Racetrack, paying $43.90.

New Image Media photo

Stonebridge Bonus scored an open length victory in 1:53.2.

With a seven horse field, Royal Will (Mario Baillargeon) took over command early before the first turn but driver Jody Jamieson and The Platinum Guy were not content in the two-hole and overtook the lead from Royal Will with Tribute To Gear (Mark MacDonald) still on the outside at the quarter in :26.4.

Tribute To Gear would finally take over command and lead his rivals past the half in :55.3. Around the final turn, Simon Allard and Stonebridge Bonus angled to the outside from sixth and used a large first-over attack to advance on all his rivals including pacesetter Tribute To Gear at three-quarters in 1:24.3.

As the field turned for home they were all chasing Stonebridge Bonus as Tribute To Gear back through the field. No one could catch Stonebridge Bonus in the late stages of the mile as he got the jump on the field to score an open length victory in 1:53.2. The Platinum Guy finished second with Royal Will third.

Stonebridge Bonus, a son of Life Sign, earned his first career victory for owners Rene Allard and Alan Alber.

Protégé Seelster scores in Autumn Stakes Final for 3-year-old trotting colts

With three scratches heading into tonight’s Autumn Stakes final for 3-year-old trotting colts, Protégé Seelster and driver Roger Mayotte scored a narrow victory over post time favorite Roush Hanover in 1:57.3.

With just a seven horse field, I Aint No Worser (Jody Jamieson) was able to easily gain top position and lead his rivals past an opening first quarter of :29.3. Roush Hanover (Sylvain Filion) also left alertly to score the pocket position with Protégé Seelster getting away in third.

With the pace slowing in the second quarter, Roush Hanover would pocket pull and take over command past the half in :59.2. Around the final turn, I Aint No Worser made a costly break in stride which allowed Protégé Seelster to inherit the pocket position.

Roush Hanover would lead his rivals past three-quarters in 1:28.2. Down the stretch Mayotte angled his charge to the outside as Protégé Seelster looked to advance on Roush Hanover. With a sixteenth of a mile to go, the sophomore trotters were strides apart but Mayotte got the upper hand in the final strides winning by a neck to earn the lion’s share of C$60,000.

With the victory, Protégé Seelster celebrated his fifth career victory and for trainer Peter Noel Carroll and co-owner Sam Angelopoulos.