Grand slam for Hudon; $1.8m handle

Cracklin Rosie and harness racing driver Phil Hudon timed a late rally perfectly to win the first leg of the Miss Vera Bars Thursday night at Woodbine Racetrack.

A field of 10 three-year-old pacing fillies competed in the $17,000 opening leg of the Miss VeraBars.

Originally a field of 11, Cracklin Rosie started from the second-tier in Thursday's contest. Driven by Phil Hudon, the Luc Ouellette trainee got away eighth in the early stages.

Mattjestic Tempo sprinted to the front for driver Doug McNair and posted an opening-quarter of :27.2. The leader was left alone in the second-quarter and reached the half in :56.4.

Heading into the final turn, Cracklin Rosie was brought to the outside by Hudon and sat fourth-over, as Mattjestic Tempo continued to march along on the lead and reached the third-station in 1:25.1.

In the stretch, Cracklin Rosie was angled to the far outside and took dead aim at the leader. Mattjestic Tempo appeared to have enough of a jump on her rival, but Hudon timed it perfectly and Cracklin Rosie surged by in the final strides to win by half a length in 1:54.2.

Windsun Glory finished third, while Arizona Seelster rounded out the Superfecta.

Cracklin Rosie was more than six-lengths off the lead turning fpor home and paced a :28 final-quarter to snag the victory at odds of 2/1. The three-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover is owned by Luc Ouellette Incorporated, Anita Ouellette and Alan Alber.

Cracklin Rosie entered the MissVeraBars opener off a fourth-place finish in the Blizzard Series Final on January 22. She now has two wins in four starts this season after going winless in five last year.

The Ouellette trainee increased her career earnings to over $33,000 with the victory.

Cracklin Rosie paid $6.20 to win.

Phil Hudon continued his hot start to 2016 with a Grand Slam on a big Thursday night at Woodbine Racetrack.

Hudon, who entered Thursday’s card leading all Woodbine drivers in victories, visited the winner’s circle four-times to increase his 2016 wins total to 24.

The Guelph, Ontario resident’s four victories were highlighted by three-year-old pacing filly Cracklin Rosie sweeping by her rivals late to win the $17,000 first leg of the Miss Vera Bars Series.

Hudon also steered trotter Tymal Wizard to a 30/1 upset in the evening’s sixth-race. His two other victories came with trotter Southwind Alice and pacer Regal Fame in the finale.

Hudon was not the only driver to have a big night. Jody Jamieson drove three winners on the card, while Doug McNair and Paul MacDonell also had a pair of victories, respectively.

Wagering numbers were strong Thursday night, as a total of $1,888,590 was wagered on the 11-race card.

Strong pools carried from start to finish over the course of the night. The evening’s seventh-race led the way with a Win pool exceeding $53,000 and both the Exactor and Triactor pools topping $50,000.

The Pick-5 wager continues to gain momentum, as a total of $37,413 was wagered into the pool Thursday. The Pick-5 begins each night on the opening-race.

Live racing continues Friday night with The Count B and Ontario Girls Series highlighting another 11-race card. Post time is 7:30 p.m.

Mark McKelvie