REXDALE, ON — When D. R. Ackerman rolled into the Woodbine Racetrack winner’s circle on Monday night with three-year-old trotting filly Erotica, the Michigan resident experienced a startling sense of d�j� vu. Ten months ago the pair captured an elimination of the Gold Series season opener for freshman trotting fillies, their only appearance in the winner’s circle in an abbreviated six start campaign.
Starting from Post 2 Ackerman and Erotica sat in the middle of the 11 filly field through much of the mile, up to 10 lengths behind pacesetter Lookit. Heading around the final turn Ackerman took aim on the leaders and Erotica powered down the stretch to a six and half length victory over Keystone Leah and Chuckalo Beckster in 1:57.3.
“She’s very willing and tries her heart out,” said Ackerman from the winner’s enclosure. “Given a break in the race, like all of them, they get home better.”
Bred and owned by Ackerman’s parents Doug and Ada Jean Ackerman of Warren, MI, Erotica prepared for her 2005 Ontario Sires Stakes debut at Detroit’s Hazel Park. The Mr Lavec daughter qualified April 22 in 2:03.2, ran into trouble in an April 28 overnight and requalified May 6 in 2:01.1.
“She was really, really good, then in her first start, I don’t know if we got her shoes messed up or something, she was no good,” explained Ackerman. “Then we switched her shoes and that’s been the difference.”
The win boosted Erotica’s lifetime record to two wins and two seconds in eight starts and earnings of $103,300. Sent off as the fan’s sixth choice Erotica returned $19.10 to win, $9.30 to place and $5.60 to show. Fifth choice Maleficent delivered $11.10 on a place wager and $9.20 on a show play while second-choice Chuckalo Beckster’s third-place effort was worth $4.20 to her fans. The exactor paid $150.70 and the 2 – 10 – 11 triactor was worth $1,079.60.
Southern Senorita captured the other elimination, also employing a come-from-behind style to post her 1:58.2 triumph.
In rein to Keith Oliver, the Yankee Paco daughter eased off the gate as several of the fillies near her made costly breaks in stride. At the :28.3 quarter Southern Senorita was five lengths off the pace, but she made up ground steadily and assumed command through the final turn. Chased down the stretch by hard closing Maleficent and Oaklea Nattie, Southern Senorita prevailed by one and a half lengths to record her first ever victory.
“She’s a little green. When she was clearing that front horse, she just let go of me a little. I had to chase her along in the lane,” said Oliver after the race. “But she’ll come this year. She’ll get stronger and progress as the year goes on.”
Oliver drives Southern Senorita for trainer Larry Walker of Morriston and owner-breeder Tony Holmes of Lexington, KY. The filly came into Monday’s contest off a schedule almost identical to Erotica’s — a solid qualifier on April 19, a break in an April 28 overnight and a second qualifier on May 7.
“She just wasn’t trotting (April 28),” said Oliver. “She was a lot better in her qualifier, she came home quick, in :28.3.”
Maleficent and Oaklea Nattie claimed second and third-place honours in the $53,425 contest and will join the top five finishers from each elimination in next Monday’s $130,000 Gold Final.