Garry Merner's evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (Feb 15) was nothing short of triumphant, as he guided three horses to victory.
The first triumph came from Whole Lotta Luck in a highly competitive $17,000 conditioned pace race. Expertly handled by Phillippe Hudon, the Merner-trained three-year-old filly showcased her prowess by making a strategic move from the fourth position to second over the opening panel, clocked at a swift :28.2.
With precise timing, Whole Lotta Luck surged three-wide at the three-quarters mark, blazing past her rivals and clinching a remarkable victory in 1:56.2, finishing two lengths ahead of the rest. Always A Catch put up a valiant effort but settled for second place, while the favoured Jacinda secured the third spot on the podium.
Whole Lotta Luck, an offspring of the illustrious Luck Be Withyou and the talented Shadow Play mare Arroya Blue Chip, added another accolade to her name, securing her second career triumph in impressive fashion. Under the ownership of Douglas Dunbar, this victory marked a new career best for the exciting filly. Despite being considered at 8-1 odds, Whole Lotta Luck rewarded her supporters handsomely, returning a generous $17.50 for a winning ticket.
Merner's expertise extended beyond Whole Lotta Luck, as he masterfully orchestrated wins with two more horses. Littlebearcat, skilfully driven by Ryan Desroche, displayed tremendous speed and stamina, capturing a resounding victory by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. The triumphant duo proved to be a winning combination, rewarding bettors with a winning ticket worth $18.80. Not to be outdone, Rjs Superfreak, piloted by the talented Hudon, showcased exceptional talent and determination, triumphing with a remarkable 3-1/4 length margin in 1:56.1, resulting in an impressive win ticket worth $26.10.
The Pop Up Series witnessed thrilling battles in two divisions exclusively for fillies and mares. The first division, the third leg of this prestigious series, witnessed Proud Of My Roots, expertly guided by the skilled Trevor Henry, carving out a commendable victory. Proud Of My Roots swiftly manoeuvred into a second-place position during the opening panel timed at :28.3. With calculated precision, she seized control of the race, setting blistering fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.4. Displaying unwavering determination, Proud Of My Roots concluded the race with a remarkable :31.2 final panel, securing a commanding three-length victory in 1:59.1. Betchuloveme showcased her mettle, claiming the runner-up position, while Sound Bite Hanover completed the triactor.
Proud Of My Roots, a five-year-old daughter of the illustrious Vertical Horizon and the accomplished Tigra Seelster, has proven to be a consistent performer throughout her illustrious career. Her impressive record boasts 10 wins, 11 second-place finishes, and 10 third-place finishes in 59 starts, amassing a total earning of $83,196. As the top choice among bettors, Proud Of My Roots rewarded her faithful supporters with a winning ticket valued at $4.40.
The second division of the Pop Up Series witnessed Greystone Treasure, piloted by the skilled James MacDonald under the tutelage of Joe Pereira, delivering an awe-inspiring performance. Starting from the sixth position, Greystone Treasure made a calculated move to the third-over position during the opening panel timed at :28.3. With impeccable timing, MacDonald skilfully positioned Greystone Treasure three-wide at the three-quarters mark timed at 1:26.4. Demonstrating incredible speed and resilience, Greystone Treasure surged ahead and maintained an unrelenting pace, triumphantly crossing the finish line with a three-length lead in 1:56.4. Bookie Baby valiantly secured the runner-up position, with Outlawskysthelimit completing the impressive top three.
Greystone Treasure, a six-year-old mare sired by the illustrious State Treasurer and out of the talented Greystone Ladymach, has consistently showcased her prowess on the track. With an impressive career record of 27 wins, 16 second-place finishes, and 15 third-place finishes from 98 starts, Greystone Treasure has amassed a total earning of $153,246. In her first race of the year, Greystone Treasure rewarded her supporters with a winning ticket valued at $5.60, setting an optimistic tone for the remainder of the season.