by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group
Toronto, January 9, 2005… Just A lad and Abbey Road C both found the winner’s circle this afternoon at Woodbine after contesting a pair of C$55,000 second leg divisions of the Horsemen’s Trotting Series for four-year-olds and upwards.
Conditioned by Tony Montini and driven by Rick Zeron, Just A Lad went to the lead after the half in the first division and held off the rest of the field for a one-length score timed in 1:54.4.
Positioned close to the engine on the outside as the opening quarter was reached in :27.1, Just A Lad sat third along the backstretch as Chip Dot Com (Mario Baillargeon), who was followed by JM Vangogh (Ron Waples), met the half-mile marker in 57 seconds flat. Zeron then tipped Just A Lad first-up as the turn approached. Gaining ground while overland, Just A Lad bore down on Chip Dot Com, who passed the three-quarters in 1:26.1. Acquiring the lead in the stretch, Just A Lad held off Armbro Approach (Trevor Ritchie), who had tipped out from second-over. Chip Dot Com held on for third.
Co-owned by Montini along with his Ontario-based partners Larry Murrell and Chico Sernaglia, Just A Lad ($7.60, $5.10, $3.10) posted his 21st career victory with the score after finishing third to Chip Dot Com in last week’s opening leg. A student of Geoff Maltby, Armbro Approach ($9.00, $4.20) completed the $58.30 exactor. Two lengths back in third, the Richard Moreau trainee Chip Dot Com ($3.10) was the last piece to the $150.60 triactor.
In rein to his conditioner, Keith Jones, Abbey Road C snapped Y Chance It’s three-race win streak in the second division, as he converted a pocket ride to trip the timer in 1:54.4.
With Paul MacDonell in the bike, Y Chance It left from post position six and cut fractions of :26.2, :56.1 and 1:25.4.The son of Yentls Image – who went off at odds of 1-5 – was not himself on this afternoon though, as he faded in the lane and finished fifth.
Owned by Utopia, Ontario’s George Charlton, Abbey Road C ($21.40, $8.20, $4.80) scored by a length in what was his 29th career score. The gelded six-year-old son of Incredible Abe—Jayport Whimsey notched his first tally of the new year with the effort.
Conditioned by Paula Wellwood and driven by Jody Jamieson, Wide Angle Hanover ($23.60, $15.30) was part of the $371.00 exactor. Driven by Mario Baillargeon for trainer Richard Moreau, Orbit ($3.60) completed the $1,579.50 triactor.
The C$116,500 (estimated) final of the Horsemen’s Trotting Series is scheduled for next Sunday, Jan. 16 at Woodbine.