Gotcha Covered, Stonebridge Deputy in Valedictory wins

The favored Gotcha Covered and the longshot Stonebridge Deputy drew first blood in Saturday night’s first round of the Valedictory Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Woodbine Racetrack.

In the opening C$20,000 split, Gotcha Covered followed up on an upset victory last week with another sharp, off-the-pace score for driver Paul MacDonell, in 1:52.

The gelded son of Western Ideal--Day Dreams followed in sixth throughout much of the mile before moving out and picking up the cover of Mizter Fastforward in the third quarter. When the third station, compliments of the pacesetting McArtlee, came up in 1:24, MacDonell sent his charge three-wide to go after the leader.

Once the field straightened-up for home, Gotcha Covered hit another gear and drew-off from his rivals for a 1-1/2 length tally. McArtlee fought bravely to hold the place spot, with Blackbird Singing rounding out the top three. The winner returned $5.20 as the race favorite.

It was the fourth win in 13 starts for Gotcha Covered, who was a private purchase earlier this summer by Harry Locke and Dan Sarafian of Ontario.

Stonebridge Deputy scored an upset win in the second division for driver Rick Zeron, in 1:53. The gelded son of The Panderosa--Stonebridge First left sharply from post eight and got away third in the early going before moving to command just past the half.

The slick-gaited pacer faced pressure the rest of the way, but was able to gut-out a neck decision over a hard-closing D I Hanover, with Auditorial finishing third. Stonebridge Deputy rewarded his backers with a $38.20 win ticket.

The win was the eighth of the campaign in 21 starts for the Sue Marie Gangell pupil. Gangell co-owns the winner with Seth Fishman of Florida and David Goodrow of Ontario.

The second round of the Valedictory Pacing Series will go postward next Saturday night at Woodbine. (WEG)

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