Originally to be called the Maple Leaf Pace that moniker had
to be dropped when trotters became the featured participants.
“We wouldn’t call it the Maple Leaf Trot since that
prestigious event belongs to Canada’s Woodbine Entertainment
Group so our race this year, for drivers of Canadian heritage, will
simply be called Maple Leaf Mile ,” explained Eric Warner, the tracks
director of racing. “Although we tried we just couldn’t get together a field of
pacers for this event.”
Headlining the drivers in the Maple Leaf is Stephan
Bouchard, who won this race twice. On Monday he’ll handle 6-1 rated Dynamic
Preacher, a non –winner since September 12th when the trotter
scored a 2:02 victory. They’ll start from the pole position.
However the early line favorite, Jobo Da’Shabra, will have
veteran John Gilmour at the lines when the trotter starts from post eight. The
11-year-old Carry The Message gelding comes into this race off two wins
in his last three starts, the fastest, a gait to wire triumph in 2:02 on
September 27.
Second choice, Consulate, belongs to Jimmy
Doherty, Jr. A 2:01.3 winner earlier this season they’ll leave from
the six-hole.
Former Mighty M driving champ Jimmy Devaux has drawn
Gatekeeper, rated at 6-1 on the early line. But they deserve some
serious consideration when they start from the four-hole since the trotter had
been handled by amateur drivers in most of his previous races.
Other with mounts in the Maple Leaf Mile include Mike
Doherty (Jimmy’s brother) Jacques Primeau, Keith Haase and Terry Finch.
The winner of the Maple Leaf will join the drivers who
won each of the ethnic legs and they’ll battle in what will be billed as
the All-America Cup and be presented in late November.
Already with berths in the series finale are: Bobby
Williams, Jr. (Dr. Martin Luther King Pace); Lisa Krom (Lady Godiva Pace);
Jimmy Taggart, Jr. ( St. Paddy Pace); Alan Charles (Passover Pace); Mike
Merton (Munich Mile) and Mike Forte (Godfather Pace) and Zeke Parker (Mayflower
Mile
