Woodbine Mohawk Park: Southwind Coors out-duels Gaines Hanover in Goodtimes final

Southwind Coors and driver Scott Zeron had to rough it without cover the final three-eighths of a mile, but on the wire the pair nosed out heavy favorite Gaines Hanover to capture the $250,000 Goodtimes final for sophomore trotting colts and geldings at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night.

Southwind Coors started from the pole position and Zeron asserted himself, yielding to What An Angel in the opening eighth. Warrawee Yang, a winner of an elimination a week earlier, drove to command at the 28 second opening quarter for driver Scott Young, but Louis-Philippe Roy and Gaines Hanover were already on the move, and that pair cleared to the lead well before the 55 4/5 opening half-mile.

Zeron didn't waste time going on the offensive on the final turn, and Southwind Coors, trained by Matt Bax, shifted gears quickly to engage the favorite on near even-terms as the field hit three quarters in 1:23 4/5.

Zeron urged Southwind Coors on, but for a time it appeared the Walner-sired gelding had other things on his mind as his head drifted towards the grandstand. Zeron was able to keep him on course, and Southwind Coors fought a bitter battle with the favorite, with the pair hitting the line at almost the identical time. A short time later the photo finish granted Southwind Coors the victory in a career-best 1:52 clocking, with Gaines Hanover, last year’s Breeders Crown champion having to settle for second. Tuscan Prince and Yannick Gingras finished third after tracking the perfect cover of the winner.

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"He's just a little bit green," said Zeron following the victory.

As for whether the driver thought he was a winner on the wire, he answered, "His head couldn't have been any lower to get his nose out."

Owned by Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, David Hudson and Craig Wilson, Southwind Coors was a winner for just the third time in 16 career starts. As a 5-1 offering Southwind Coors returned $12.10 to win.

"I have to give (driver) Mike Saftic a lot of credit for taking care of him last year," said Matt Bax.