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

Toronto, December 19, 2004… It was a downright chilly afternoon over the Woodbine strip Sunday, yet Y Chance It, a true winter warrior, probably wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Recording his first victory since April 19 (in the opening leg of the Classic Series), the five-year-old gelded son of Yentls Image went wire-to-wire from the second post position in the C$40,000 Preferred Trot, stopping the timer in 1:56.3.

Temperatures dipped to –16 Celsius, and with the trademark blustery Woodbine winds in full effect, the track was rated two seconds slow by the presiding judges

It was rather odd not to see the maroon and white silks of Y Chance It’s regular pilot Randy Fritz flashing behind the Ron O’Neil pupil on this day though. Injured in a racing accident Saturday night at Georgian Downs and having reportedly suffered a broken clavicle in the spill, Fritz was replaced in the sulky this afternoon by Paul MacDonell.

In his first time behind the accomplished bay, MacDonell sent Y Chance It through splits of :29.1, :58 and 1:26.4 and came home in :29.4 to record the 1¾-length victory. Y Chance was sharp on this day, gapping the field by three to four lengths throughout a large portion of the mile.

The 4-5 post time choice, Y Chance It ($3.90, $2.30, $2.10) increased his seasonal resume to 8-3-4 from his 18th race. Co-owned by O’Neil along with fellow Ontario residents Paul Larrabee and Lynda Franklin, Y Chance It now has 25 career tallies.

In rein to Phil Hudon and racing at odds of 9-2, Henninger T ($3.90, $2.90) closed well from third in the lane, but couldn’t collar an already wrapped-up Y Chance It. With Mike Saftic at his lines, Son Of Grace ($3.10), the 3-1 second choice, finished 5½-lengths back in third.

The exactor and triactor returned $14.00 and $38.20, respectively.