by Jeff Renton, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto, January 18, 2004… Y Chance It sat near the back of the field while others did the spade work, but the five year-old trotter found daylight when it mattered most to pick up the pieces in the C$116,500 final of the Horsemen’s Series on Sunday afternoon at Woodbine.

WEG photo.

Y Chance It and Randy Fritz score in 1:58.1.

Driven by Randy Fritz, Y Chance It closed from seventh to first in the stretch by cutting through a strong east wind to post a 1 1/4 length decision over Abbey Road C and pacesetter Locofoco N in a mile time of 1:58.1.

Owned by trainer Ron O’Neill of Cambridge, Paul Larrabee of Freelton and Lynda Franklin of Ingersoll, Ontario, Y Chance It picked up his 19th lifetime win. It was his second win in as many starts in 2004.

“I was a little worried around the last turn because the horse in front of me wasn’t keeping up and I was gapped, but the wind was a factor and the horses in front started to come back to me,” said Fritz. “It was very tiring out there. Once I got close enough, I was confident he’d get there.”

Cosington, the 2-1 favorite, had the toughest trip in the field and finished sixth. Still, owners John and Todd Gimblett of Whitby, who beforehand, pledged 25% of the horse’s earnings in the race to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, issued a check afterwards for $1,500.

Sent off 4-1 third choice, Y Chance It returned $10.10 to win and topped an $880.20 triactor.

Note: A nasty spill in the seventh race involved four horses and drivers Chris Christoforou, Brian Tropea, Mike Saftic and Randy Fritz. Fortunately, all of the drivers and horses escaped serious injury.