Sylvain Filion became the first Canadian-based harness racing driver to reach five figures in wins as on Monday (Oct. 23) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
After two wins the night prior, the 54-year-old reinsman entered the card on 9,999 and reached the elusive five-digit club in the opener.
He steered One More Bet (All Bets Off) in the race, the first division of the Harvest Series first leg for two-year-old pacing fillies. Filion held the filly in third and sent her first-up entering the final turn. The open racetrack was all the filly needed as she dashed to the front and soared clear to a five-length victory in 1:52.3.
Filion was met in the winnerās circle with a placard commemorating the achievement.
āI never thought in my wildest dreams Iād ever even come close to achieving what I did,ā he said in his on-air interview. āIt wasnāt expected.ā
ONE MORE BET REPLAY
Filion, son of Yves and nephew of Hall-of-Famer Herve, started his career at Blue Bonnets in Montreal and raced mainly there and in Ottawa until the track ended racing in 2008. He drove his first winner, Supreme Jade, at Rideau Carleton Raceway in 1987. In 36 years and 58,700 starts in the sulky, he has recorded purse earnings of more than $138 million and 10,000 victories and counting. He was named Canadaās Driver of the Year four times and won 1999 the World Driving Championship.
It was the first time a driver based in Canada has reached the milestone. Fillionās uncle, Herve Filion, won 15,183 races and is third in the all-time North American standings. Sylvain Filion is also the 23rd North America-based driver of all time to reach 10,000 wins.
After the victory on Monday, Filion had a special message.
āThatās for you Stella,ā he said to his daughter watching from home. āItās all for you.ā
For complete race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink