Woodbine Mohawk Park: McWicked conquers Lazarus N in Canadian Pacing Derby

McWicked handed Lazarus N a defeat with a powerful first-over move that carried him to a 1:49 triumph in the C$600,000 Canadian Pacing Derby for free-for-allers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Filibuster Hanover (Tim Tetrick) was the first leader in the race, getting to the opening quarter in 26 4/5, but Lazarus N (Yannick Gingras) came with a brush from third and obtained control before the 55 1/5 half. McWicked (David Miller) got away sixth but was already out and moving first-up as Lazarus N reached the front.

McWicked continued to close around the final bend, getting into second and just a length back of Lazarus N at the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters, and he put away Lazarus N inside the final eighth en route to a 2 1/4 length decision. Split The House (Brett Miller) was up for third, with Filibuster Hanover and Dr J Hanover (Sylvain Filion) fourth and fifth, respectively.

"You can't take anything away from him," said David Miller. "With a first-over grind into Lazarus N, I wasn't too confident around the last turn, but we got into the stretch. My horse felt really strong and I asked him. He just did the rest."

Casie Coleman trains McWicked, a 7-year-old McArdle stallion, for owner Ed James and his S S G Stables. This was McWicked's 29th career victory, and he has now put away C$3,360,195. He was the 7-2 second choice and paid $9.70 to win.

Coleman was very proud of the effort her charge put in, especially given he'd been dealing with some recent issues.

"He's been off a few weeks, and I never really told anybody, but he's coming off a quarter-crack," remarked Coleman. "That's the reason that he was scratched from the qualifier to tighten for this race. When we were first-over coming on Lazarus N, I wasn't overly happy obviously, but it worked out great. Dave said the scary part is how easy he did it. He just said he was absolutely phenomenal, and he had lots left yet.

"It's going to be a fun season. I was having fun without Lazarus N as it was a little bit easier competition, but it's going to be some exciting racing. We're paid in everything; I'm sure he's paid in everything, so I'm sure we'll see each other a lot coming up."

The runner-up finish by Lazarus N drops ‘The Wonder from Down Under’ to one-for-two in North America. The Pacing Derby was his first start since winning the Dan Patch at Hoosier Park on August 10.

“He raced good, just a little tired finishing,” said Gingras of Lazarus N’s performance. “He needs some racing. The other horse is a good horse, went a big mile, and you’ve got to give him credit, but I think my horse needs a couple starts.”

--Gingras quote courtesy of Woodbine Mohawk Park--