Woodbine Mohawk Park: Marion Marauder, Ariana G triumph in Maple Leaf Trot elims

Marion Marauder and Ariana G were victorious in the two C$40,000 Maple Leaf Trot eliminations for free-for-allers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Starting from post one in the first elimination, which was reduced from eight starters to six because of a pair of scratches, Marion Marauder (Scott Zeron) was off the gate a bit at the start and settled into fifth while Pinkman (Yannick Gingras) made front and hit the opening quarter in 27 2/5 and the half in 57 seconds. Crazy Wow (Tim Tetrick) was brought first-up from fourth at the half, and that gave cover to Marion Marauder. They both advanced steadily on the rim around the final bend, with Crazy Wow getting to within a length of Pinkman at the 1:25 three-quarters.

Crazy Wow forged his way to a narrow lead in upper stretch, but Zeron had Marion Marauder finishing well three-wide in the lane, and he would surge by to get the advantage and the win in 1:53 1/5. Supplemental entrant Dancer Hall (Sylvain Filion) rallied sharply in the lane, getting up from last to second, with Emoticon Hanover (Bob McClure) third. Pinkman held fourth and Crazy Wow secured the last spot in the final with a fifth-place finish.

"Today he was very comfortable going down the lane. It was just a matter of letting him stay at it. That was it," offered Zeron. "I just let him coast at the wire. That's why it might have looked like he pulled up a little. I was trying to time him in there, and I did, but he was just running out a little bit and didn't get out on the right foot. With a six-horse field I didn't pressure him."

Mike Keeling trains Marion Marauder, a 5-year-old son of Muscle Hill, for owners Jean Wellwood and Devin Keeling. This was Marion Marauder's 19th lifetime win, and he went over C$3 million in career earnings, with his bankroll now sitting at C$3,015,202. He was the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.90 to win.

"He's just fun to race. He's fun to watch because he doesn't have a particular style," said Keeling. "You just kind of watch and you go how does he get this done. Him and Scott just get along so well. It's just been a great ride, and I hope we get to keep going.

"For him, picking his post is really important. We kind of need to be closer to the middle of the gate, then he can get his momentum up and he can choose the route he wants to take. The rail really handcuffs this horse. I'd rather have the rail than the ten any night, but it does handcuff him. This is very, very key."

In the other elimination defending Maple Leaf Trot champion Hannelore Hanover (Gingras) made front easily from post five and showed the way through panels of 27 3/5, 56 2/5, and 1:24 2/5. Ariana G (David Miller), who was sent off at an uncustomary 10-1, settled fifth from post seven in the early going, pulled first-up past the half, then was pushed out three-wide just briefly past three-quarters when pocket-sitter Will Take Charge (Tetrick) vacated the two-hole. Ariana G quickly settled back into a second-over position as the field turned the lane.

Will Take Charge got Hannelore Hanover's measure in the lane, but Ariana G came with a three-wide blitz inside the final eighth that carried her by the leaders and on to the victory by a neck in 1:52 4/5. Will Take Charge, Hannelore Hanover, Guardian Angel As (Brett Miller), and Warrawee Roo (McClure) also moved on to the final.

"I've raced against her, and she's one tough cookie," remarked David Miller. "I thought this was a way tougher division. I kind of raced her just to get her into the final, and she surprised me. She was loaded around the last turn, and she finished it off against two pretty good horses."

A 4-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill, Ariana G is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners/breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. She made her 25th appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now put away C$2,357,937. She returned $23.60 to win.

Here's the draw for next Saturday night's C$651,000 Maple Leaf Trot final:

1. Crazy Wow
2. Dancer Hall
3. Marion Marauder
4. Ariana G
5. Will Take Charge
6. Warrawee Roo
7. Hannelore Hanover
8. Emoticon Hanover
9. Guardian Angel As
10. Pinkman
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