HP Royal Theo Prevails In A Pari-Mutuel Puzzler

Ahundreddollarbill was bet off the board in Monday’s $35,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park, but it was HP Royal Theo who rained on the favourite’s parade when he rallied for the eye-catching victory as the longest shot in the field.

Louis-Philippe Roy got away fourth with HP Royal Theo, who watched Ahundreddollarbill fire to the top from Post 7 and then carve out fractions of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:24.4.  Patriarch Hanover attacked from first-over around the final turn, and glued to his back was HP Royal Theo.

It was a :27.1 closing panel that earned HP Royal Theo the win by three-quarters of a length over Patriarch Hanover in 1:52.3.  Pikachu Hanover stood his ground throughout and finished third.       

Sent off at odds of 28-1, the five-year-old son of Royalty For Life-Mikas Masuzrka posted his fifth win of the season – and 14th of his career – for owner/breeder Claude Hamel of Ayer’s Cliff and partner Michel Damphousse.  The Quebec partners watched the 14-time winner push his lifetime earnings over $630,000 with the win.

Thee Desperado turned a two-hole trip into a 1:55.1 decision in the first division of the Pop Up Series for trotters.

Doug McNair motored to the lead with the Brent Belore trainee who had the group chasing him through an opening panel clocked in :27.2.  Race favourite The Prince powered up to take the top past the quarter and he went on to post middle panels of :56.3 and 1:26.2.  Thee Desperado used a :28.3 closing quarter to prevail by 1-1/4 lengths over Victor Invictus in 1:55.1.  Magnificent Seven was third.

Daniel and Karen MacIntyre of London, Ont. own the nine-year-old son of Manofmanymissions-Front Porch Swing.  The 29-time winner has racked up a five-for-16 record this season and career earnings of over $190,000.

Villefranche AS went right down the road to capture the $16,000 second division in a time of 1:54.3 for the tandem of driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Mark Goddard.

Roy left hard from Post 6 with the mare who proceeded to wheel the field through fractions of :26.4, :55.3 and :125 before using a :29.3 closing quarter to win by a head over Andy Over.  Texaco Man took home third prize.

Howard and Joshua Kaufman of Pennsylvania share ownership on the six-year-old daughter of Conway Hall-Merci IT who is now a seven-time winner this year and a 17-time winner to date.  Her bankroll climbed to $216,575 with the score.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.