Michelles Power upset by 29-1 longshot

Simply Mavelous pulled off the biggest win of her career with a shocking 29-1 victory in tonight's $130,000(C) Ontario Sire Stakes Gold final for 3-year-old filly pacers at Mohawk Racetrack in 1:50.4.

With Mike Saftic driving for the first time, the daughter of Western Maverick-Sanfran got away sixth in the field of nine and watched patiently as Milliondollarsmile jetted to command through a :26.1 first panel. The pace remained hot as an unmanageable Iola M would not settle into a gaping three hole and left driver Mark MacDonald no choice but to press on after the front. Randy Waples, driving Milliondollarsmile, was not about to give up the lead at that point, which made for a speedy first half of :53.4.

As the field neared three-quarters, the battling front-enders began to tire and that's when race favorite Michelles Power made her move three wide with Simply Mavelous following closely on her back. Michelles Power took over command turning for home, but could not hold off the hard-closing Simply Mavelous who prevailed by three-quarters of a length at the finish. It was another length back to Queen Of Royalty who finished third.

"I left a little bit and landed and caught some luck," said driver Mike Saftic. "The half flashed up in :53, and that set it up for a closer. When you race from off the pace, you have to avoid dead cover and sometimes slow fractions, but everything worked for her tonight. I talked to Alan (co-owner/trainer Alan Guthrie), and he said she had a good week. She races in the OSS every week, and she always comes to play."

The win was just the second this season in 24 outings and increased her seasonal bankroll to just under $200,000 for Guthrie who is based out of Windsor, Ont. (WEG)

« Back