It
has been often been alleged that good things come for those who wait and that
was precisely the strategy that Aaron Byron used to win the sixth edition of
the Maple Leaf Mile at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, December 20.
Byron
guided Integrity to a 1:58.3 come-from-behind victory in the event strictly for
drivers of Canadian heritage, which was the eighth and final preliminary leg of
the tracks Heritage Drivers Series.
“They
were charging right from the start going good fractions for these caliber
horses so all I did was wait and when they started to come back to me I
moved my horse and we passed the tired leaders and went on to an easy victory,”
Bryon said. “And it was only fitting that a full-fledged Canadian won the race,
aye!”
When
the gate sprung Truman Gale sent 28-1 shot Best of Times to the lead and
they showed the way relatively unchallenged thru fractions of :28.4 and :58
before Jacque Primeau moved Lexus Artist out and began to grind forward.
Still
strong as they headed up the backside Best of Times had two lengths on the
field but as they approached the three quarters Byron was out and moving with
Integrity who was fourth along the pylons in the early going.
When
Best of Times tripped the three quarter timer in 1:28 his lead was quickly
diminishing as Integrity was gaining with every stride. When they circled the
final turn Byron’s pacer took command and they paced away to open lengths and
then coasted to an easy three- length triumph. Indy’s Z Tam finished second for
Keith Haase and Lexus Artist took home the show dough.
The
winner, owned by Mark and Phyllis Liebowitz, scored his third seasonal triumph
and paid $3.90 for win.
Although
it was the only drive that Canadian-born Byron had on the Wednesday card he was
glad to participate in the race.”Hey, I had to drive two hours to just race in
the Maple Leaf (Mile) but I had to represent Canada,” he chimed.
Now,
Byron will join the winners of the seven other ethnic preliminary events and
represent the Canadians in the All-America Cup, the series finale, set for
Thursday, December 19.
