It was billed as the Battle of the Sexes, the race of the year, a match between two Breeders Crown champions Mr. Muscleman, North America's top male trotter, and Peaceful Way, the continent's best female trotter. So much for the hype. At the finish of the classic, it was all Mr. Muscleman, the defending Maple Leaf champion, a career earner of over $3.2 million and a track record holder at both Mohawk and Woodbine, as he bulled his way to an easy five and one-half length win in a stakes record mile of 1:52.1. Muscles Marinara came on for second, while Mystical Sunshine was third.
Peaceful Way, a divisional champion in Canada at two and three and unbeaten in seven outings this year, gave it her best shot early, when she tried to chase Mr. Muscleman after he'd taken the lead before the half. But it ended early for the daughter of Angus Hall, as she made an uncharacteristic break and lost all chance. With Ron Pierce at the controls, Mr Muscleman took over from Abbey Road C after the first quarter. While pressed by Elegant Man at the half, Mr Muscleman continued to motor, repelling all challengers. From there to the wire, it was a tour de force, as the giant gelding posted yet another romp on his impeccable resume.
"He's been so good for so long," said Pierce. "I had no idea what I was going to (leaving). I was just going to wait and see what everyone else was doing and make up my mind. As it turned out, we just floated out of there, let everybody settle in. Turning for home, I just waved the whip at him a little bit and he did the rest."
As for Peaceful Way, "She got ultra-aggressive," said driver Trevor Ritchie. "When I moved her, she tried to trot right out of her skin and made a break. She's trotted out of her skin before, but it's usually later in the mile when she's more tired and not as keyed up."
"Yeah, he was just awesome tonight," said co-owner Adam Victor Jr. "All week long, (trainer) Mike Vanderkemp and (caretaker) P. J. (Fraley) told us that he was better this week than what he was before the Breeders Crown and he showed it tonight. Oh, he is a freak. Just from when he was two and a big, lanky trotter that would just trot, to now, he's grown and is just a freak."
Little Miss K, an Artsplace bay owned MJG Racing Stables Inc. and Hill View Enterprises of New Jersey, tallied a three-length victory clocked in a life's best 1:52.2 during the $688,200 final of the She's A Great Lady for two-year-old pacing fillies. Sitting fifth after the 27-second opening quarter-mile, driver Brian Sears pulled Little Miss K first-over and was brushing to the front at the half. Clearing after the second call, Little Miss K was pressured throughout the final turn. From there the filly simply went to another gear, sprinting home while under wraps for a convincing victory.
In a thrilling duel to the wire, Jeremes Jet and driver Paul MacDonell outbattled Palone Ranger and driver Dave Miller the length of the stretch to win the $1 million Metro Pace by one-quarter length. The Metro, the richest race on the continent for two-year-old pacers, brought together 10 of the best two year-olds in training and befitting a million dollar race, it proved a battle royale from the get-go. After a half mile, driver Paul MacDonell and Jeremes Jet turned on the afterburners and flew up from third to take command, but were immediately challenged by the even-money choice Palone Ranger as they straightened for home. However, Jeremes Jet, the still undefeated son of Western Hanover-Ohyouprettything, refused to yield, as the two race favourites duked it out to the wire. At the finish, Jeremes Jet, the 2-1 second choice, had won his third career race in a life best 1:50.4, while Perfect Union was a further four and one-quarter lengths back in third.
"I was worried," continued MacDonell. "That colt (Palone Ranger) just never went away. It was a gritty effort by him. We had to go right to the well to get it all done. It was real deep in the lane by the time we had it for sure."
