The 4-year-old son of Angus Hall sat in the two-hole behind Edit (Jody Jamieson) through fractions of :27.3 and :56.3 before brushing past the tempo-setter before three-quarters in 1:26.2 en route to stopping the timer 1-1/2 lengths the best in 1:55.2. Windsong Hercules (Rick Zeron) finished second with Revenue Agent (Mike Saftic) coming from off-the-pace to complete the triactor.
“He was strong again tonight,” Filion said following the win. “Last week, he was on the right line a little bit, but tonight he drove perfect. I like our chance looking ahead to the final.”
Trained by Per Henriksen, Charlie Is A Joker notched his 15th career victory for owner/breeder Tom and Elizabeth Rankin.
After making a costly break in stride in last week’s first leg, Undercover Strike rebounded to stop the clock in a sizzling 1:53.4 new lifetime best in the second and final division.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, driver Jack Moiseyev sent Undercover Strike to the front and the son of Striking Sahbra never looked back as he laid down fractions of :27.1, :57.2 and 1:25.3, before kicking home to a 2-1/2 length victory. Post time favorite, Guiltywithanexcuse (Chris Christoforou) finished second, with Meadowview Arty (Steve Byron) third.
Following the victory, trainer by Bill Companion was very pleased with his pupil’s effort.
“That was a terrific mile tonight,” Companion said. “I’ve always said this horse has had a lot of talent and tonight it showed. We made a shoeing change coming into tonight and that seemed to help, as well. Hopefully we have a fun summer with him, fingers crossed.”
Undercover Strike enjoyed his fourth career victory for owners Common Sense Stable, Blair Corbeil and Swissasia.
The C$50,000 final will go to post on Monday, April 2.