Mystical Oaks upset

Mystical Sunshine has long raced in the shadow of Peaceful Way, but she stole the thunder away from that career winner of $3.2 million in Friday night’s lone $96,377 division of the Classic Oaks at Woodbine Racetrack.

Starting from Post 2, Mystical Sunshine got away fourth behind pacesetter Snazzy Millie, who had the field to the opening station in :26.4 over a track that was rated ‘good’ with a one-second allowance.

Snazzy Millie and Keith Oliver came under attack in the second quarter when Jack Moiseyev took a shot with Lavec Dream, who engaged the leader through an opening half in :55.2. They continued to battle all the way to the third station in 1:25 with Pierce and Mystical Sunshine looming large from second-over.

Pierce flipped the switch as the field entered the stretch, and when he did Mystical Sunshine took off. She used a :28 final quarter to deliver the knockout punch in what turned out to be an 8 ¼- length romp in a time of 1:53.1.

Solveig, who was sent off at 43-1, rallied to finish second for trainer-driver Jimmy Takter while Ecstatic, in rein to Paul MacDonell, closed to finish third as a 43-1 outsider.

(Woodbine release)

Peaceful Way, who was sent off as the 2-5 favorite, got away sixth and held that position throughout the mile for driver Trevor Ritchie. She rolled into a break coming off the final turn and finished last in the field of nine.

Peaceful Way’s bad fortune was the good fortune of Mystical Sunshine, who hangs her harness bag in the Chris Ryder Stable for partners Sidney Korn of Monmouth Beach, NJ, and Alvin Jacobson of Crompond, NY.

Mystical Sunshine, who is a 17-time winner with over $1.4 million in earnings, has stashed away over $300,000 in earnings this season thanks to a 3-1-5 record in 17 starts.

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