by John Manzi for the
Billings Series
Rexdale, Ont. Can.--Sylvain
“not Jacques” Grenier knew what he had . He waited patiently to pull the chord
and unleash favored Musical Spell and rally his veteran gelding to a stunning
come-from-behind victory in the $11,000(c)Billings trot at Woodbine Mohawk on
Monday evening, May 27.
After getting away slowly
from the six- hole in the 10-horse race , Grenier had the patience of a saint
sitting back in 8th place some 15 lengths off the lead at the
halfway point as Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford and Utopia cut the early
fractions and led the field by the quarter in :28.1 and past the half in :57.
As the field approached the
three quarters Grenier and Musical Spell were still 8-1/2- lengths behind
Utopia but slowly moving up on the outside. Even at the top of the stretch
Musical Spell was fifth as Constantino and Tony “The Capo” Verruso got first
call after cruising along in third place for most of the mile.
But as the field headed for
paydirt Utopia faded and as Musical Spell and Presquille (T. “Marielle” Enberg)
emerged as the strong horses. But Musical Spell was not to be denied as the
altered son of Kadabra zipped home a length and a quarter winner over taking
Verruso's Constantino in the final strides. Although Presquille flatened-out in
the deep stretch he still earned the show dough.
Musical Spell is owned by
Haryott Stables and trained by Michael Guitard. Sent off as the odds-on
favorite he paid $3.10.
