Three-year-old fillies were the stars of the Thursday show at Woodbine Racetrack, as the Rexdale, Ontario oval hosted round two of the Autumn Series.
Four divisions went postward – a set for trotters and a double dose of pacers – with each assignment offering a purse of $15,000.
Meadowview Vicky, who was a 1:57.3 winning in week one of the series, made it two-for-two in the preliminary legs thanks to Thursday’s 1:57.3 score for driver Mario Baillargeon and trainer Mart Etsell. The homebred daughter of Muscle Mass-Meadowview Marion shot to the top from Post 6 and successfully sliced out splits of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:28.2 before storming home in :29.1 en route to the win. She was 1-1/2 lengths clear of runner-up Wings Of Ballykeel, with OHO Diamond taking home third prize.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Meadowview Vicky improved her 2014 record to 6-0-1 from 13 starts while bumping her lifetime earnings to $51,258.
Opsrey Impact was the biggest upsetter in Thursday’s second leg of the series, as she rallied for a 15-1 upset for the tandem of driver Dave Boughton and trainer Mario Macri. The homebred daughter of Federal Flex-Summerhill Hallie got away seventh before moving into the flow on the way to the half. Sitting third and parked at the three-quarter pole, Boughton pulled the trigger on the filly and she responded with a :30-second closing quarter en route to posting the 1:58.1 victory. Acapulco Hall was 1-3/4 lengths in arrears, while race favourite Serendipitious settled for third.
Paul Larrabee of Belle River, Prince Edward Island bred and owns the youngster who has put together a 4-3-1 record from 13 starts this season. The sophomore, who went 0-for-4 as a rookie, has stashed away more than $29,000 to date.
The red hot Mach Some Noise captured the first division for the pacing fillies, and in doing so she stretched her winning streak to four-in-a-row for trainer Tony O’Sullivan. The daughter of Mach Three-Belinda Hanover moved to the lead in the backstretch and cruised to an easy win in a career-best clocking of 1:53.3 with driver James MacDonald in tow. Artistic Fusion, who was a 1:54 winner in the first leg of the series, was second with the show dough going to Thrill Chaser.
Osullivan Racing Inc, Kirk McKinnon and David Goodrow Stable share ownership on the late bloomer who now boasts a 4-2-0 record from nine trips to the track this season. She’s stashed away $38,000 to date.
Catalea Seelster was parked every step of the way in the second division, but it didn’t stop the Anthony Montini pupil from prevailing in 1:56.3. Anthony MacDonald made the best of the bad trip situation with the daughter of Stonebridge Regal-Cmon Mama Cass, who got up in the closing strides to win by a neck over the tempo-setting Debbies Mach. Taking home third prize was Performing Art.
Albina Montini of Acton and Teresa Davidson of Milton, Ontario share ownership on the three-time winner, who is now 2-for-15 this season. The lion’s share of Thursday’s purse lifted her lifetime earnings to $19,740.
Trainer Joe Cirasuola had a banner night at the office during Thursday's card of racing. The conditioner sent out four starters, and all four of them found their way to the winner's circle.
Latoka got the ball rolling for the barn thanks to his 1:57.3 win in Race 2, and stablemates ABC Muscles Boy (1:57.3), Four Boys (1:54.2) and Cowboy Cody (1:53) got their picture taken, as well.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.