Keystone Matt wins Cam Fella opener

Keystone Matt and driver Mario Baillargeon delivered as expected in Saturday night's lone $35,000 (C) division in the first round of the Cam Fella Pacing Series, open to 3 and four year olds, at Woodbine Racetrack.

Racing as part of a Ben Wallace-trained entry that was sent off as the prohibitive 3-5 top choice, the four-year-old son of Western Hanove-Giant Mattilda was eased away from the gate from post four and watched as Whitesand Raider took command at the opening panel in :26.

Approaching the half, Shipps Camotion made a snap move to the front and just as he cleared, Keystone Matt followed suit and took over the lead right at the half in a torrid :54.2. Once on top, Keystone Matt then faced almost immediate pressure from Just Plug It In who pushed the pacesetter past three-quarters in a brisk 1:22.2.

As the field turned for home, Keystone Matt appeared to put away Just Plug It In and opened up some daylight on that rival. However, Just Plug It In had more in reserve and made another belated rally but fell short at the finish in the 1:51.1 mile. Dark Sign overcame the outside post 10 to finish third while Keystone Matt's stablemate, Crazy Dan, rallied well for fourth.

The victory was the third in just seven outings this season for Keystone Matt who is owned by Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. He now sits with just over $65,000 in seasonal earnings.

The Cam Fella Series continues next Saturday night at Woodbine. (WEG) 

« Back