When it comes to ‘project’ horses, trainer/driver Pat Hudon can say he’s been associated with a few.
Armbro Nautilus is one pacer that many will remember for his rise from the claimers to the Free-For-All ranks in the late 90s. He went on to win 28 races over the course of a career that saw him bank just shy of $500,000.
These days, Hudon is having some fun making headlines with trotter Odds On Amethyst. The horse was struggling when he first entered Hudon’s barn, but the speedster is firing on all cylinders while racking up some serious dough in recent weeks.
Odds On Amethyst matched the North American’s season’s record for older trotting geldings when he smoked the Woodbine oval in 1:52.2 on March 13, and he climbed to the Preferred class on Monday evening and won that $34,000 assignment in 1:52.4.
Hudon and his charge got away third while April Rose shot to the top and served up a :27.1 opener. Odds On Amethyst angled off the rail in the backstretch and muscled his way to the lead while racing parked past the half in :56.1. He cleared to the top and opened up a two-length lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:24 before using a :28.4 closing panel to win by a nose over Finish Line in 1:52.4. Third prize was earned by April Rose.
Hudon shares ownership on the six-year-old son of Muscle Hill-Mystical Sunshine with Bill Cripps, Charles Gazzola and Adam Kean. The partners watched the gelding improve this year’s record to 3-1-1 from nine trips to the track. The $17,000 payday bumped his career bankroll to $293,562.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.