After missing by a mere nose in his last outing to end his undefeated winning streak, St Elmo Hero made it back to victory lane on Saturday night in the $45,000 Open Pace at Woodbine Racetrack
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Second choice Lisagain (Rick Zeron) left alertly from Post 5 and put up a :27.3 opening quarter before St Elmo Hero and driver Jody Jamieson brushed up from third to take over. The five-year-old son of Western Hero-Crystal Crickett headed to the half in :56.3 while 32-1 longshot Rock Me Please (Randy Waples) launched his attack from the backfield.
Rock Me Please applied heavy pressure past three-quarters in 1:24.2, but St Elmo Hero scooted away off the turn to a two length victory in 1:51.4. Lisagain finished second over Rock Me Please.
St Elmo Hero paid $4 to win as the even-money favourite. After winning 25 consecutive races, the gelding was defeated by Art Professor in last Saturday’s Open at Woodbine after losing a shoe. He is now 26-for-27 in his career, which began last June at Balmoral Park. His lifetime earnings stand at $250,700 for owner John Barnard of Orland Park, Illinois. Meg Crone trains St Elmo Hero while in Canada.
Grin For Money gave his own connections something to smile about after rallying off cover to capture the $28,000 Preferred 2 Pace in a career-best clocking later on the card.
Dark Lightning (Mario Baillargeon) shot to command down the center of the track and put up a lightning speed :26.1 opening quarter, followed by a :54.1 half. At that point, World Away (Mike Saftic), who quickly reset after making a break behind the gate, launched a first over attack from fifth with Grin For Money and Jack Moiseyev following his cover.
World Away moved up alongside the leader as they passed three-quarters in 1:22.4 and took over into the stretch, but Grin For Money zipped right by them both to score in 1:50.3. Pocket-sitter Aled Hanover (Scott Zeron), the 3-5 favourite, came on for second over World Away.
Grin For Money returned $26.80 to his backers for the 12-1 upset. The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate, a son of Grinfromeartoear-Our Inheritance, notched his third win from 10 starts as a four-year-old and bumped his 2011 earnings to $49,520 for trainer John Kopas and the Grin For Money Stable of London, Ont. The victory was his 10th lifetime and lifted his overall bankroll to $241,352.
For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.
Well lets all be real here
Well lets all be real here lisagain is not a free for all horse! Hypnotic will get back on the winning track! do you really think elmo has a shot against Won The West etc.? I meant to say Won The West not Mr Big in my earlier post!
Elmo will have his shoes handed to him this summer! mark my words! do ou think jj would say he is gonna be beat against the ffa all this summer?? of course not i will bet against elmo week in week out! jj should of definetly been fined for his 56 to the half. Elmo aint seen ffa fractions in his career and when he does he will not be able to go with them!!!!
Elmo is a decent horse definitely not an open free for all summer horse!!! That is obvious! if his connections thought he was he would be at the farm getting a break!!!!
In reply to Well lets all be real here by adam1981
Hi Adam, Just an observation
Hi Adam,
Just an observation on my part, yes there probably should have been a fine for the 56 and change half. But on the other hand the rest of the field can be fined for failure to contest the pace.
If not for my interest in just wanting to see Elmo race I would not have bothered to watch the "open pace" as it's seems this has been the normal race flow strategy where as someone flies to the quarter, then stomps on the brakes going to half.
Personally, not my favourite style of racing.
Just my opinion.
In reply to Well lets all be real here by adam1981
Seriously !!! What an
Seriously !!! What an amazing horse !!! I can't believe people are knocking this horse on here. Its too bad he ever lost a race but honestly it is stories like these that show the good in the sport and attract people.
Just look, people can look at St Elmo Hero and say wow that horse was claimed for $7000 dollars and maybe I could do that. This horse has far exceeded his expectations and good luck to the connections of St Elmo Hero and my condolences to the U.S. trainer over his personal loss.
I totally understand what
I totally understand what Adam Albert is eluding to even though he came across as someone who doesn't have a clue.
Elmo has yet to face the best of the best on a constant basis. He was in minor stake races. The summer horses are a step above and he may have to go 1:48 every night to win.
It will be interesting for sure.
The reason for Elmo's loss is he threw a shoe right at the beginning. Yes they have brought this horse along carefully. Wouldn't you? I love the way he can accellerate like a Ferrari when asked. Quite the engine.
Now lets see him go with the Big Boys when the Big M gets back or down at the Red Mile.
I don't think he has been class tested just yet.
Nice horse But for an "Open"
Nice horse
But for an "Open" pace going to the half in 56 and change the judges should have fined the whole field
If that isn't failure to maintain or set a pace.....
Just my thoughts
Adam Albert Are you for real
Adam Albert
Are you for real with these comments?
"Elmo has been spotted correctly in all of his races kudos to all involved! He is a great horse with little to no more upside when he has to go in free for alls he will get his harness handed to him so here’s hoping they continue to spot him correctly he will have no shot against the mister big or Hypnotic Bluechip etc., Elmo should be strictly a fall winter racehorse and rest him over the summer as I truly believe in the summer older stakes he has no shot!!!!!!!!"
Hypnotic Blue Chip couldn't get a cheque in Pocono in the Open in his last start and Mr. Big ( is he coming back now? ) has been retired for 2 years. As well Hypnotic Blue Chip was beaten by Lisagain who sat right on his back and blew him away the last time he raced at Woodbine. Lisagain sat a 2 hole trip right behind Elmo last week and couldn't get near him. Am I missing something here ?
Spotting this horse?
He was eligible to all the stakes that he was in earlier because he hadn't made any money and if you think he ducked the Cam Fella you are sadly mistaken as he had some foot issues that are well documented. He obviously is paid into many of the big stakes this year so you will see shortly if he has the talent to dance with the Mr Big's as you call them.
Here's what Jody Jamieson
Here's what Jody Jamieson said on twitter:"Elmo was great last night. Look out big boys. There's a new player in FFA div."
Maybe Mr. Albert knows something that Jamieson doesn't? I hope not! Go get 'em Elmo!!
Elmo has been spotted
Elmo has been spotted correctly in all of his races kudos to all involved! He is a great horse with little to no more upside when he has to go in free for alls he will get his harness handed to him so here’s hoping they continue to spot him correctly he will have no shot against the mister big or Hypnotic Bluechip etc., Elmo should be strictly a fall winter racehorse and rest him over the summer as I truly believe in the summer older stakes he has no shot!!!!!!!!
Congrats to Elmo. We need
Congrats to Elmo. We need another "Hero" on the track. A great story to go along with his wonderful performances. It shows the hard-working, little folk in the business that miracles do occasionally happen. It's great to have something positive to talk about for a change. Nice to see San Pail back on the track, too. All the best to both horses!
I was a little disappointed
I was a little disappointed not to see a post-race interview with Jody or Meg Crone on Saturday. I'd like to see one of you tv guys put a microphone in one of their faces & just flat out ask them how good they think this horse is!!
Jiggyjogged again, and
Jiggyjogged again, and showed what he is really made of. My suspicion is that he was a little short last week, after getting only two starts in some seven weeks. Despite what they say about how well he comes from off the shelf, it has to have affected his conditioning to some degree.
Still nobody knows who this horse is outside of the industry. It's a real shame, but even 100 wins would probably not have put him in mainstream popularity. At least play the theme to "Man In Motion" during the winner's circle ceremonies, as they did with Ontheroadagain during his racing career. I am one of those "old diehards" who tells everyone within earshot this horse's saga.
Congratulations to St. Elmo
Congratulations to St. Elmo Hero's connections. I watched the replay and even though he finished second, Lisagain, who was in the two hole during the race, couldn't even keep up with the winner. Elmo will be heard from again. Happy Easter to all.
Interesting night for the
Interesting night for the FFA class - Elmo throws down his most impressive performance yet and One More Laugh gets turned over at Vernon. Added to that Hypnotic Blue Chip's defeat the last time we saw him here and I don't know what to think!
Roll on the summer :)
I was skeptical, but I'll
I was skeptical, but I'll admit it. He's the real deal. He may not be ready to tackle the FFAllers like Won The West yet, but he is getting there.
Congrats to the connections
Congrats to the connections on a great win.
Would it be possible for a website of a racetrack to have the live feed video that we can actually see that has a clear picture or would that cost too much to fix ?
Gary Blackburn