The richest race in North America for 2-year-old pacers is the $1 million Metro Pace, contested on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ontario. Speed Again was sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the full field of 10 off consecutive wins in the Nassagaweya Stakes first division, followed by his Metro Pace elimination heat. In to challenge him included 2-1 second choice A Rocknroll Dance, winner of his elimination heat in a world record 1:49 1/5 after finishing 8th in the Woodrow Wilson at the Meadowlands, and 7-1 third choice Simply Business, second in the Woodrow Wilson before finishing third in his Metro elimination.
Hurrikane Kingcole was quickest away through an opening furlong in 12 4/5 seconds before Simply Business took over the lead on the clubhouse turn, parked wide through a quarter mile in 26 seconds. Down the backstretch, A Rocknroll Dance passed Simply Business to open a 1 3/4 length advantage through a half in 54 1/5 and 3/4 in 1:22 1/5 over the fast track. A Rocknroll Dance led the field to the 1/8 pole, getting 7/8 in 1:36, but Simply Business came out wide and rallied late to catch A Rocknroll Dance by 1/2 a length at the line in 1:50 1/5. It was another 1/2 length back to late-running favorite Speed Again third.
Results chart from Mohawk
Also on the card:
She's A Great Lady Stakes won by American Jewel
Canadian Pacing Derby won by We Will See
