For the second time since the Goodtimes Trot was introduced 19 years ago, John Bax presented the trophy for the race named in honour of his career-changing horse to himself and his partners. That honour came courtesy of Southwind Coors in an extremely close $250,000 Goodtimes Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night (June 17).
As the race got underway, What An Angel left hard from post seven to grab the early lead but he was covered up before the opening quarter of :28 by Warrawee Yang. Gaines Hanover then swept to the front well before the :55.4 half for driver Louis-Philippe Roy.
Scott Zeron pulled the right line on Southwind Coors, sitting in fourth, and they started their charge for the top and reached the leader by the three-quarters in 1:23.4. As they turned for home, Gaines Hanover and Southwind Coors battled with neither colt giving way, and it was very tough to separate the two at the wire in 1:52. After a review of the photo finish, judges determined Southwind Coors’ nose reached the finish first. The tables were turned for Gaines Hanover, who defeated Southwind Coors by a neck in their elimination but had to settle for second in the final. Tuscan Prince was third.
James MacDonald had driven Southwind Coors in his elimination, but he was up behind Hasty Bid, who ended up finishing fourth in the final, as he owns a share of the gelding.
“After the elimination, James asked me who I was going to go with and I said, ‘I can throw a rock on North America Cup night and probably hit about three great drivers.’ I thought Scott was a great fit for him and they worked well together tonight,” said trainer Matt Bax.
Zeron noted that he talked to MacDonald before the race.
“I knew he’d raced well coming into this race; James couldn’t praise him enough. He owned his own horse in this race so I was lucky I was able to get this one. I feel like last week he was tracking him [Gaines Hanover] late; he sure went past him after the wire. I was confident in his ability, he’s just a little bit green.
"As much as it’s nice having everyone cheer him on, I think he was more focused on people in the crowd and that’s why he made it as close as he did, I don’t think we hit the bottom of his lungs.”
As to whether he thought he’d won at the wire, Zeron said, “I thought I did, I don’t think his head couldn’t have been any lower to stick his nose out so I was confident he got it.”
“It’s been a long trip with him, he was a little nervous, green. I have to give a lot of credit to [driver] Mike Saftic last year, he really managed him [driving him in all 11 of his rookie races]. He wouldn’t be here where he is now without that. He’s been coming off trips, he likes coming off a helmet and this year he’s really turned a corner, and coming into tonight, he’s never been better,” said Matt Bax.
A $65,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select Sale, Southwind Coors is owned by the Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, Dave Hudson and Craig Wilson. The son of Walner has now banked more than $230,000 to date from 16 starts.
While Southwind Coors’ win was a very popular one and fitting for the Bax family in the race named in honour of their iconic trotter Goodtimes, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and one of the best trotters ever produced in Ontario, it was also bittersweet as the final was the first since the great horse was laid to rest last December at 31.
Over the years, Goodtimes provided the family with myriad wonderful memories, both on and off the track. And Saturday night, Southwind Coors provided them an exciting new memory to add.
The 2023 Pepsi North America Cup featured a stacked undercard with a number of stakes and open class events. Recaps of the evening's other stakes are available below:
- Its My Show Wins 40th Pepsi North America Cup
- Sylvia Hanover Stomps Foes In Fan Hanover
- Records In Roses Are Red For Grace Hill
- Abuckabett Hanover Wins Mohawk Gold Cup
- Stockade Seelster Sizzles In NA Cup Consolation
- Refined Upsets Bella Bellini In Armbro Flight
- Warrawee Vital Matches All-Age Canadian Record
For the results from the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup night card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Woodbine)