Captains Quarters Claims Metro Pace
MILTON, September 23, 2023— After weeks of eye-catching rallies but few visits to the winner’s circle, driver Jody Jamieson put Captains Quarters at front mast and sped to a gutsy victory in the $970,000 Metro Pace on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Clever Cody cleared control to a :27.1 first quarter with Captain Luke securing the pocket. Jamieson rolled Captains Quarters and landed in fourth to the backstretch, but the Captaintreacherous colt swiftly angled out and charged for the top well before a :55.1 half.
Legendary Hanover, the 4-5 favourite, raced fifth before pulling first over to make his challenge for the lead through the final turn. Jamieson uncorked a high-octane third quarter with Captains Quarters to clock by that station in 1:22.1 and strung Legendary Hanover for the stretch drive. Legendary Hanover kept trying to push forward while Clever Cody pleaded for room from the pocket, but Jamieson kept Captains Quarters strong to score in 1:49.3 by a half length. Legendary Hanover finished second with Clever Cody third and Captain Luke fourth.
“[Trainer Herb Holland] wanted me to teach the horse to race long before he ever got a chance to stretch his legs,” said Jody Jamieson, who won the Metro Pace for a second straight year after a pocket-popping score in 2022 with Stockade Seelster. “And last week [in his elimination], everyone saw him last week – he was in an impossible spot, wasn’t a great drive, and got to shake loose in :25.2… horses just don’t do that every day. He goes when you ask him; he’s an amazing horse.”
Captains Quarters won the Metro Pace in his fifth start, the victory the second of his career. Herbert Holland conditions the winner of $525,904 for owner Rich Stiles.
“It’s pretty awesome [to be here],” said Herb Holland, who won his first Metro Pace. “I’ll probably sleep better tonight than if he didn’t hit the board.”
Off the third choice at 5-2, Captains Quarters paid $7.30 to win.
By Ray Cotolo, for Woodbine
