Gingras takes both SRF finals at Big M
At 11h53, on April 22, 2023 • By MEADOWLANDS
Yannick Gingras had, what for him, was just another night at the salt mine Friday night (April 21) at The Meadowlands, as the Hall of Fame pilot won both $40,000 Standardbred Retirement Foundation series finals for 3-year-olds.
In the filly trot, Sheer Faith, who tasted defeat in her last two starts at odds of 1-5, got some friends back in her corner, scoring in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:56.2 to record her fifth win from nine lifetime starts as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering.
Gingras rushed the daughter of Better Caviar-Sheer Delight to the lead at the quarter in :28.1, putting 6-5 favorite Bella Macchiato in the pocket.
“We got a little but lucky,” said Gingras. “Going into the race I didn’t want to cut it. I was hoping those two (Bella Macchiato and The Empress Ice) would go at it, but when Timmy (Tetrick, driving The Empress Ice) went on a break in the first turn, that changed things.”
It all looked so easy for the eventual winner, as a big challenge from Jet Zette kept Bella Macchiato with no place to race through the stretch, but nearing the wire, the favorite found some space as Jet Zette weakened.
“I almost messed it up there,” said Gingras. “It kind of opened up a little bit too early, but, thankfully, we came out on top.”
Sheer Faith, a Per Engblom trainee, returned $6.20 to win to her backers, holding off Bella Macchiato by a neck. Jet Zette finished third at odds of 70-1.
