Woodbine Mohawk Park: Fallout rallies to capture Metro Pace final

Fallout came from well off-the-pace but finished like a runaway for driver Tim Tetrick to capture Saturday's C$1 million Metro Pace for 2-year-olds in a stakes and track record-tying 1:49 1/5 mile at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The son of former Metro champion Captaintreacherous gave trainer Tony Alagna his fourth victory in the prestigious event.

Sent off as the second choice in the field, Fallout got away mid-pack as Prince Hal Hanover and Blue Onyx left alertly, with race favorite Captain Optimistic and Yannick Gingras leaving between those two. Blue Onyx crossed to the front before the initial turn, and Todd McCarthy deftly pulled the pocket before Gingras had Captain Optimistic close enough and rushed to the front at the 26 2/5 opening quarter.

Captain Optimistic was able to stroll up to the front, and although he took three-eighths to clear to the pylons, Gingras was able to rate the half in 54 4/5 and had the field stretched out. Meanwhile, Tetrick moved Fallout just before the half and gained ground on the leaders, eventually settling in fourth on the final turn for a brief time, regaining cover and awaiting the final quarter sprint.

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After Captain Optimistic passed three-quarters in 1:22 1/5, McCarthy pulled once again with Prince Hal Hanover and began gain on the race favorite. Tetrick moved Fallout on the turn and managed to stay glued to Prince Hal Hanover until mid-stretch where he pulled on the right line and found another gear. Though Prince Hal Hanover would eventually wear down the pace-setter, he could not hold off Fallout, who rallied late to a personal-best and his third and certainly biggest win of his young career. It was a sweep for sire Captaintreacherous with Prince Hal Hanover and Captain Optimistic the second and third finishers both by the sport's leading sire.

"Yannick got an easy first half," said Tetrick, "He's a good horse and he proved it tonight."

As the second choice Fallout returned $5.30. Owned by Robert Leblanc, Pryde Stables and Caviart Farms, Fallout, a $250,000 yearling purchase, was bred by Brittany Farms.

"He took a couple of starts to get it together," said Alagna about the colt. "We decided to change his shoes to all aluminum, and it really cleaned up his gait."