Frenchfrysnvinegar and driver Jody Jamieson made quite the combo in the Open Mare Trot to kick off the lucrative Breeders Crown card at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
The six-year-old mare, who was supplemented to the $301,170 event for $31,250 by owner David Smith of Rockwood,Ontario, was relentless through the stretch, powering past Action Broadway in the final stride.
Trainer Jeff Gillis wasn’t sure the salty mare was going to arrive in time.
“Around the last turn, I didn’t think so,” smiled Gillis. “But, halfway down the lane I thought she had a shot because she just won’t quit.”
Friendly Amigo led the field through a smart opening quarter in :27, as Emmylou Who settled into the pocket.
Brian Sears took command with Autumn Escapade through the first turn, but Mark MacDonald made a sweeping move with Action Broadway to assume the point down the backstretch straightaway as Frenchfrysnvinegar, following Action Broadway’s cover, rolled into third position, outside of Autumn Escapade.
Action Broadway continued his front-running reign through the final turn and fought bravely through the stretch as Autumn Escapade struggled for racing room along the pylons. However, a determined Frenchfrysnvinegar would not be denied powering home to win by a head in a final running time of 1:53.3. Action Broadway held on for second over Autumn Escapade.
Gillis was thrilled with the trip engineered by Jamieson for the supplemented mare.
“I wasn’t expecting to draw the ten-hole. I anticipated about eight entries, but it worked out. Jody almost worked out a perfect second-over trip, but his cover cleared. She made the most of it,” said Gillis.
Jamieson noted that the wide trip was made to order.
“I spoke with Jeff (Gillis) a couple days ago about just leaving her in the middle of the track, as opposed to trying to find a hole and that it worked out to get the second over trip…the rest is history,” said Jamieson.