Ohio's Dettore Savours Molson Pace Upset

It wasn't expected by the wagering public and came as a big surprise to everyone connected with five year old Camluck pacer Eagle Luck. Sent off at 25-1 as the longest of the longshots on the odds board, he found a way to win the richest race in the 47 year history of Western Fair in London, ON on Friday evening, May 30, 2008 for owner Frank Dettore of North Ridgeville, Ohio.

Race favourite Tigerama was hard tested to make the lead from the outside post seven in 26.2. Mark MacDonald gave his charge a breather to the half in 55.1 but he was under pressure in the third quarter as pocket-sitter Silent Swing, driven by Robert Shepherd,came to look him in the eye in 1:23.

"I was sitting just behind Silent Swing and Grand Bend Turbo" explained winning driver Trevor Henry. "Into the stretch I just rolled out wide and hoped to beat Grand Bend Turbo which we were fortunate to do. A lot of things went our way starting with the fact that Tigerama had drawn post seven which is close to a two second handicap in London" Henry explained of the 1:51.1 upset at 25-1 as the longest odds offering in the field. Next under the wire were Grand Bend Turbo, Silent Swing, Rare Jewel, and Tigerama.

"He was making just his fourth start of the year and he was peaking at the just the right time, we'd pointed him to this" said Eagle Luck's trainer Gregg McNair. "He's a quality horse, he's only five years old now and we're hoping for good things for him in 2008."

The highest single purse race in Western Fair's history attracted a capacity crowd which wagered over $120,000 on track of the evening's total handle of just under $270,000.

The Molson Pace victory pushed Eagle Luck's lifetime earnings to more than $814,000.

The A-Channel/City Of London Series and the Ontario Sires Stakes will dominate the final month of the current meet at Western Fair through June 30th.

ARTICLE ARCHIVE