TORONTO, ON — Standardbred racing does not get much more exciting than it was on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack when the province’s top two and three-year-old pacing colts squared off in Gold Final action.

In the two-year-old pacing colt Gold Final, fan favourite Grin For Money sprinted away from the outside Post 10 to grab control of an early lead, reaching the quarter pole in :27.3. After charging by his stablemate Keystone Raptor, Grin For Money carried on to a :56.2 half and a 1:24.4 three-quarters. Turning for home, Grin For Money and driver Sylvain Filion were ahead by one length, but their long tour around the Woodbine oval was beginning to take its toll.

Swinging away from Post 2, reigning Gold Final champion Haul Away had settled into fifth spot on the rail, then moved into the outer flow behind elimination winner BP Chimo when that colt made his move heading for the halfway marker. Driver Jody Jamieson and Haul Away sat contentedly in the second over position until the colts straightened out for home, at which point Jamieson pointed his charge at the wire and hit the overdrive button. Haul Away rocketed down the stretch to a one and one-quarter length victory in a smart 1:53, two seconds faster than his former personal best.

After trailing along behind his stablemate through the mile, Keystone Raptor slipped out of the pocket and into second-place, while Western Thorn followed Haul Away up the outside into third. BP Chimo finished fourth, leaving favourite Grin For Money to settle for fifth.

David Menary trains Haul Away for his father Larry Menary of Cheltenham, Denis Breton of Welland, and Phil Silvestri and Joseph Settimi of Hamilton. The Modern Art gelding has been a brilliant addition to the Menary stable since the partners acquired him from owner-breeder-trainer Joe Hudon in early September. Through 10 career starts the pacer boasts six wins and one third for earnings of $183,520.

Haul Away will have one last opportunity to defend his Gold Final title, when the freshman pacing colts wrap up their regular season at Western Fair Raceway on Oct. 30 and Nov. 7.

Five races later Woodbine fans sent Haul Away’s stablemate Fast Pay and driver Paul MacDonell off as their favourites in the three-year-old pacing colt Gold Final, but for the second time on the Saturday program things did not work out in favour of the fans’ first choice.

Elimination winner One More Drink roared out to an early lead from Post 8, ringing up a sharp :26.2 opening quarter, then handed the lead off to Primary Purpose. Primary Purpose only possessed the leadership position briefly, as Shipps Xpectancy rolled up on the outside to reach the :55.1 half on top by one and one-quarter lengths. Shipps Xpectancy maintained control through the 1:23.4 three-quarters, but heading around the final turn the colt was reeled in by a parade of horses to his right.

Mild Mannered led the outside line, and turned for home one length ahead of his peers, but was outgunned down the stretch by a trio of colts with impressive late speed. Sixth through most of the mile, Ideal Race rolled out from behind Fast Pay at the top of the stretch and powered home to a one and one-quarter length victory in 1:52. One More Drink shook loose to earn runner-up honours and Stonebridge Terror closed from seventh to third through the stretch. Primary Purpose and Mild Mannered rounded out the money earners, leaving Fast Pay out of the money for the first time since June 20.

Tracy Brainard trains Ideal Race for owner-breeders Bulletproof Enterprises of Boca Raton, FL. Prior to Saturday’s victory the Western Terror son’s best Ontario Sires Stakes finish was a Gold Elimination win at Georgian Downs on July 4. Through 17 sopohmore starts the gelding has amassed six wins, two seconds, and one third for earnings of $172,982.

Saturday’s Gold Final completed the regular season for the three-year-old pacing colts. The top 10 point earners will return to Woodbine Racetrack on Nov. 14 for their $300,000 Super Final.

Woodbine Racetrack hosts two more Gold Series events before the season ending Super Final events, starting with the two-year-old trotting colts on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, followed by the two-year-old pacing fillies on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.

For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/racing/results/data/r1010wdbsn.dat.