Woodbine Mohawk Park: Ardonne prevails in William Wellwood Memorial
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Ardonne and driver Scott Zeron made a winning move on the backstretch and finished strongly, equaling a stakes record in capturing Saturday's Grade 1 C$485,000 William Wellwood Memorial for 2-year-old male trotters at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:52 4/5.
Ardonne, starting from post six, left with purpose but allowed outside horses Tavern Onthe Green and Strobe Lite to out-sprint him into the first turn. Strobe Lite had the front in the 27 2/5 opening quarter with Ardonne in third, but Zeron was not content and moved the son of Tactical Landing on the backstretch to gain control prior to the 56 second opening-half clocking. Ardonne kept the pace alive in the third quarter as favorite Magic Punk, with Dexter Dunn, tried to mount an offensive first-over with Cambridge Hanover and Todd McCarthy following the cover.
Zeron, with Ardonne, wasn't interested in waiting for the favorite and accelerated through three-quarters in 1:24 3/5 and opened ground into the homestretch. While Magic Punk dueled with Strobe Lite in a battle for the place spot, Zeron urged Ardonne and got the response he was looking for with a final quarter sprint in 28 1/5 and an easy victory. Magic Punk won the battle for second with early leader Strobe Lite third. Touchedbyaangel and Crunchintheodds completed the top five.
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Trained by Megan Scran for owner Philip Steinberg, Ardonne won for the second time in six career starts and returned $4.90 as the close second choice in the wagering. An elimination winner eight days earlier, Ardonne equaled the stakes record set back in 2017 by Alarm Detector.
"It was a stellar performance," said Zeron, who won his first Wellwood Memorial. "I've won some big races, but this was on my bucket list to win a big race with my girlfriend."
Scran added, "It's what we all dream of. When it comes together it's amazing."
A $37,000 purchase from last year's Lexington Select yearling sale, Ardonne is the second foal from the Father Patrick-sired Burberry and was bred by R.K. Greenfield.