MILTON, December 10, 2020 – Horseplayers experienced an eventful ride from start to finish on Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park thanks to big upsets and the Pick-5 wager. The Early Pick-5 started the evening in its usual slot of Race 1 and set the tone for a night of upsets and big payouts that hooked horseplayers for the duration of the 10-race card. After a pair of mild upsets and a 5/2 shot came through in the first three-races on the card, claiming pacer Mossies Art and driver Jonathan Drury threw the night for a spin by scoring an 86-1 upset victory. After the shocking upset, just $0.40 in “live money” remained in the Pick-5 with one leg to go. The remaining money sat on 4/5 favourite Leader Tonight, who with a victory would allow the only two tickets left to cash for $49,000 each. The race-favourite was parked every step and finished fifth by a length, as Mission Three won at 13-1. With no five of five winning tickets, a carryover of $98,641.20 from the Early Pick-5 was brought to the Late Pick-5. Word spread quickly of the big carryover and horseplayers wagered $227,741 in “new money” on the Late Pick-5. The Late Pick-5 started with a 2-1 winner, but then followed the trend of the evening with a 30-1 upset by claiming pacer Unprecedented and driver James MacDonald. The back and forth game continued with a 3-1 winner in the third leg followed by a 16-1 winner in the fourth leg. The final race saw live tickets on seven of the 10 horses, meaning either a huge payout or double carryover. Giddy Up Max and driver Sylvain Filion were sent off at odds of 3-1 and crushed their rivals by several lengths to cap off the Late Pick-5, which returned $82,084.70 for a $0.20 winning ticket. Woodbine Entertainment recently received approval from the CPMA to offer a carryover on the Pick-5 should there be no five of five winning tickets. CPMA rules require the carryover to be offered on the next available Pick-5 wager. Another significant payout on Thursday’s card was the Early Pick-4, which returned $31,779.97 for a $0.20 ticket. The Early Pick-4 was caught in the middle of the Early and Late Pick-5. Filion led the way for drivers on Thursday’s card, posting a three-win evening. Drury was the only other driver to score multiple wins on the card with two. Richard Moreau was the only trainer to a pair of wins on the card. Live racing continues Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Friday’s feature is the Leg One of the Valedictory Series for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The 11-race card starts with the $100,000 Early Pick-5 in Race 1. Post time is 7 p.m. Share This:Share
