Inside Track for February 14–15

To the Victor…

Saulsbrook Victor didn’t back down against some of the top open competitors at Woodbine Mohawk Park, wiring the $40,000 Open Pace on Saturday night at 12-1.

Pitted against the likes of top contenders Its Saturday night (8-5), Brue Hanover (8-5), and and Dublin Dasher (5-2), the 8-year-old Source Of Pride bay flashed early speed from post five for driver/owner Brett MacDonald and never looked back en route to a one-length triumph.

The 35^th win of Saulsbrook Victor’s 143-start career (35-34-19; $889,445) was the gelding’s first from four starts this year.

He paid $26.60 as the fourth choice in the field of eight.

That’s the Spirit

Bold Spirit joined the $200,000 career earnings club after notching an upset win in the final contest on Mohawk’s 11-race Saturday night card.

Sent off at 10-1 for co-owner/trainer Duane Marfisi, the 5-year-old son of Stay Hungry–Her Music Rocks authored his best performance of the young season in a one-length tally over 2-1 choice Uncle Shank A in 1:51.4.

Piloted by Billy Davis, Jr., who led off the program with a win from Howmac Victor, Bold Spirit now stands at 14-11-8 ($206,159) from 66 starts for owners Roy Sproxton, Harbhajan Singh Dillon, Darryl Kaplan, and Duane Marfisi.

As the fifth choice in the field of 11, he paid $22.

 $116 reasons to be Pumped

Mohawk’s 10-race Sunday slate saw several long-priced winners, fronted by 57-1 long shot Stay Pumped, who came from the clouds to steal the second fixture by a head.

Teamed with driver Tyler Borth, the 5-year-old Stay Hungry mare overtook 9-2 rival First Filly Chip in the late stages to secure her first trip to the winner’s circle since November 3.

Trained by Dean Nixon for owner Michael Gillis, Stay Pumped is now 12-5-6 with just shy of $81,000 in earnings across 65 starts.

The bay, bred by Howard Alexander, paid $116.70.