Back Of The Neck upsets in $610,000 Maple Leaf Trot

Back Of The Neck (Ready Cash), off the board in all three prior starts this harness racing season, flew down the stretch to win the $610,000 Maple Leaf Trot at 9-1 on Saturday (Sep. 3) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The stallion. guided by Tim Tetrick, resided in the seven-hole through :26.4 and :55.1 first-half panels and followed cover to the outside just past the midway point.

He gained steadily into the final turn but only found his top gear inside the final eighth of a mile. He took flight and fired past five foes in the stretch, including the resilient Ecurie D Dk (Ake Svanstedt), for the victory in 1:51.

Ecurie D Dk was outkicked by a length-and-a-half but finished second to complete an exactor of Svanstedt trainees. Forbidden Trade (Bob McClure) rallied for show.

“Well, this one was unexpected,” Tetrick said in his post-race interview. “I got the phone call before the draw came out, and they asked ‘would I drive him?’ I’m like ‘well sure,’ and it worked out. We got a good post and everything worked out to perfection.”

BACK OF THE NECK REPLAY

Back Of The Neck became racing’s newest millionaire with the victory. He has now earned $1,149,065 in 36 starts and has visited the winner’s circle 12 times. He finished fifth in an Open, seventh in the Maxie Lee, and fifth in the Cashman in his previous tries this year. Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, Order By Stable of Boras, Judith Taylor of Bala Cynwyd, and Svanstedt own the stallion.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink