Favourite Gotcha Covered and longshot Stonebridge Deputy drew first blood in Saturday night’s first round of The Valedictory Pacing Series for three-year-old colts and geldings at Woodbine
Racetrack.
In the opening $20,000 split, Gotcha Covered, followed up on an upset victory last week with another sharp off-the-pace score for driver Paul MacDonell in 1:52.
The gelded son of Western Ideal - Day Dreams followed in sixth throughout much of the mile before moving out and picking up the cover of Mizter Fastforward (Jody Jamieson) in the third quarter. When the third station, compliments of pacesetting Mcartlee (Mark MacDonald), came up in 1:24, MacDonell sent his charge three-wide to go after the leader.
Once the field straightened up for home, Gotcha Covered hit another gear and drew off on his rivals for a 1-1/2 length tally. Mcartlee fought bravely to hold the place spot with Blackbird Singing (Mike Saftic) rounding out the top three. The winner returned $5.20 as the race favourite.
It was the fourth win in 13 starts for Gotcha Covered, who was a private purchase earlier this summer by Harry Locke of Oshawa and Dan Sarafian of Stouffville, Ont. The Randy Van Meer trainee increased his seasonal earnings to just over $41,000 with the victory.
Stonebridge Deputy scored an upset win in the second division for driver Rick Zeron in 1:53. The gelded son of The Panderosa - Stonebridge First left sharply from Post 8 and got away third in the early going before moving to command just past the half.
The slick-gaited pacer faced pressure the rest of the way but was able to gut out a neck decision over a hard-closing D I Hanover (Randy Waples) with Auditorial (Mike Saftic) finishing third. Stonebridge Deputy rewarded his backers with a $38.20 win ticket.
The win was the eighth of the campaign in 21 starts for the Sue Marie Gangell pupil and propelled his earnings to just over $36,000 for Gangell, who co-owns along with Seth Fishman of Highland Beach, Florida and David Goodrow of Cambridge, Ont.
The second round of the Valedictory Pacing Series will go postward next
Saturday night from Woodbine.
Earlier on Saturday’s program, four-year-old trotting gelding Define The World captured the $50,000 Open Trot for driver Paul MacDonell and, in the process, went over the $1 million mark in career earnings.
The son of Duke Of York - Venice Holiday went all the way to win in 1:54, carving out panels of :26.4, :56.1 and 1:25.3 along the way. Chick N Tell (Mike Saftic) finished a half length behind the 1-5 favourite, with Mapleleaf Buddy (Jason Brewer) third.
It was the third victory in the last four starts for Define The World, who is trained by John Bax for owner-breeder Al Libfeld of Pickering, Ont. Define The World has recorded seven wins in 24 starts this year, good for over $265,000.
In the $40,000 Preferred Pace, Bullville Powerful and Sylvain Filion pulled the pocket at the :26.1 first quarter and brushed to command ahead of Balanchine (Mario Baillargeon). The 6-5 favourite put up a :54.4 half before facing pressure from Bolero Charles (Jody Jamieson) past three-quarters in 1:22. Bolero Charles edged out in front but Bullville Powerful came back on around the final turn and kicked away by three lengths for the victory in 1:50 flat.
Bolero Charles was the runner-up with Royal Becquet (Mike Saftic) third. Fourth-place finished Activator (Randy Waples) was placed back to seventh for causing interference in the stretch.
Frank O’Reilly trains the four-year-old son of Bettors Delight - Bullville Gabettie for Carole Crevani of Bullville, N.Y. The win was his fourth in 20 tries this year pushing his earnings over the $100,000 mark.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from WEG)