TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Don’t Call it a Comeback

13 months between races? No problem. If Alrajah One IT could talk, that’s probably what he would have said heading into this past weekend’s Canadian Pacing Derby Final at Mohawk.

The 7-year-old stallion made his 2023 season debut in the very race that he had to draw out of last year due to injury. Facing supreme competition from Its Academic, an Ohio-bred bay that many viewed as the top Standardbred runner coming into the race, Alrajah One IT had to deliver a performance for the ages… and he did.

In his first race in over a year, Alrajah One IT set the stakes, track, and Canadian standards record by crossing the wire at 1:50.2, 1 ½-lengths ahead of his rival.

Let this performance serve as a reminder that some athletes are just built different.

 Record Setting Rooks

For today’s lesson in small track stardom, we turn to Saturday night’s Standardbred card at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock, New Brunswick, where some of Atlantic Canada’s best freshman took centre stage. Two, in particular, stood out amongst the rest.

First, is Chip Of Evil, who extended her lifetime undefeated streak to five by setting a new track record (1:59) in the third race of the Milton Downey Memorial for 2-year-old pacers.

The night’s second record-setter, Jackies Boy, took home the card’s fifth race in 1:57.4. For the Prince Edward Island-bred gelding, Saturday’s win improved his career line to 4-1-1.

The Early Bird Doesn’t Always get the Worm

Woodbine’s nine-race Saturday card rewarded the loyal fans who stuck around by saving the best for last. Between the winners of the final three races, the lowest “win” payout was $18.80.

It all started with Witch Hazel, the aforementioned $18.80 winner, in the seventh race, who used a late burst to comfortably clear the finish line. Later, in race eight, Hai Bobby ($22.00) and Sofia Vives set the pace early and didn’t relinquish their lead. The night’s biggest underdog winner, Desolator, took home the ninth and final race at 20-1 to pay $38.50.

A $6 investment ($2 win bet on each horse) would have paid the fortune tellers who saw all that coming $79.30 altogether.

All in a Knight’s Work

As anticipated in last week’s ‘What’s on Track,’ the Pacific Classic at Del Mar was a battle of the 3-year-olds.

In a thriller that came down to the wire, Arabian Knight held on to defeat Geaux Rocket Ride and take home the $1 million sprint. Along with the title prize, Arabian Knight also clinched a position in Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The fun didn’t end there for the colt’s connections, as trainer Bob Baffert broke a tie with the late Bobby Frankel to capture his seventh Pacific Classic victory. For the win, Arabian Knight paid $6.20, $4.40, and $3.60.

She Won’t be Denied

Leading up to this year’s running of the Toronto Cup at Woodbine Racetrack, all the talk was about trainer Mark Casse, and for good reason. The dual hall of famer is a six-time winner of the event and came into Sunday’s contest with three runners, including 6-5 favourite Conman.

However, the legendary trainer was denied a seventh Toronto Cup by the only filly in the eight-horse field, Love to Shop. With multiple graded stakes winning jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson calling the shots, the 3-year-old Kevin Attard trainee was able to push past Conman in the late stages to capture the top prize.

After Sunday’s triumph, Love to Shop ($7.70 to win) now owns an impressive 2-2-1 line in five career starts.