Woodbine Mohawk Park: Exploit knocks off favorites in Metro Pace surprise

Exploit, at 35-1, saved the day for the Tony Alagna stable when odds-on favorite Abuckabett Hanover failed to fire in the stretch, capturing Saturday’s C$720,000 Metro Pace final for rookie colts and geldings at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Doug McNair was in the bike behind the overlooked Exploit, and he took back at the start, allowing Bayfield Beach and Yannick Gingras to two-move to the lead following an opening quarter that was posted in 26 seconds. Exploit would get on the move behind Abuckabett Hanover shortly before the 55 1/5 half-mile point and raced off that cover much of the third quarter.

Gingras put the pedal down with Bayfield Beach through the third quarter, never allowing Abuckabett Hanover and driver Andrew McCarthy to get to his wheel. While early leader Lawless Shadow and Bob McClure raced in the pocket, McNair vaulted Exploit wide entering the homestretch following a 1:22 4/5 three-quarters.

Bayfield Beach was holding strong, but McNair got Exploit, a son of Somebeachsomewhere, to hit high gear, and his momentum was just enough to collar the determined leader near the wire in a career-best 1:50 4/5 clocking. Bayfield Beach held second, with Lawless Shadow third. No Better Joy and Bettor Sun completed the top five.

Leblanc And Kribbs, Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners, and Joseph Barbera share ownership of Exploit, who is now a three-time winner in eight career starts for trainer Alagna.

"I was following the best horse, or so I thought," said McNair of his trip. "He just swelled right up on me on the last turn."

Exploit returned a healthy $73.90 with the upset victory.

The first foal out of the stakes-winning mare Time On My Hands was a $165,000 yearling purchase at last year’s Lexington Selected Sale.