15-1 shot upsets in $300,000 Super Final

Believe U Me (Muscle Mass) pulled off a 15-1 harness racing upset from post nine on the $300,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final for three-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday (Oct. 14) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

She ranged up from post nine after a modest start and dropped into sixth position. Even-money leader Righteous Resolve (James MacDonald) blitzed the first quarter in :26, and Believe U Me kicked off a first-over charge approaching the half in :56.2.

No cover came for Believe U Me, and the filly had to trek into the breeze. She pulled even with Righteous Resolve as they reached three-quarters in 1:26.1 and went by the pacesetter with ease. Believe U Me, on top with a cushion in mid-stretch, finished the mile strong and stopped the teletimer in 1:54.3.

Baroness Hill (Doug McNair) arrived late at the pylons and reduced the winning margin to a length-and-three-quarters. She rolled up for second over Stonebridge Bravo (Jonathan Drury).

BELIEVE U ME REPLAY

The victory was Believe U Me’s first in the Ontario Sires Stakes this season and her second in the program lifetime. She spent much of the season in Kentucky for the Commonwealth Series, finishing third in the final. Ron Burke handed her to trainer Dave Menary before this start. The filly is now six-for-18 lifetime with earnings for $315,484 for W. J. Donovan of Delray Beach.

“I was happy with the week she had, I really touted her to Louis, Ike’s Dream raced earlier in the night and she trained with him on Saturday and Tuesday and went right on by him,” said Menary in his post-race interview. “She’s kind of a tricky mare to drive but we had a bad post and I was very confident in letting him go forward. She’s tricky to drive and Louis did a great job, I didn’t think she could be first up that way but everything fell into place tonight and I’m happy to be standing here.”

The Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finals for three-year-olds will continue on tonight’s card at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Three divisions remain on the card.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink