Record maker: Lexus Kody masterful in Maple Leaf Trot triumph
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MILTON, August 30, 2025 – Lexus Kody, with Yannick Gingras in the race bike, showed no shortage of strength, stamina and savvy down the lane to take the $630,000 Maple Leaf Trot (Grade 1) in record fashion, Saturday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
In a race chock full of top-shelf trotting talents, it was Lexus Kody who shone brightest on the Standardbred big stage.
Hillexotic rocketed off the wings and powered to the front, followed by Lexus Kody, slight mutuel choice Aetos Kronos S and Private Access into the first turn.
It was Hillexotic, at 23-1, on top by 1 ¾ lengths through an opening quarter in :26.4, but Gingras had Lexus Kody on the move and the pair took over the proceedings ahead of the half in :54.3, followed by Aetos Kronos S, Private Access and Periculum, last year’s Maple Leaf Trot winner.
Hitting three quarters in 1:22.1, Lexus Kody, on top by 1 ¼ lengths, looked to power away from his pursuers, as Aetos Kronos S and Periculum picked up the chase, looking to reel in the leader with time running out.
A game Lexus Kody shrugged off each challenge and strode to the wire a confident 1 ¾ -length winner. Periculum was second, Hillexotic third and Call Me Goo fourth.
The final time of 1:49.1 was a Canadian, track and stakes record.
“He's got the ability to do it,” praised Gingras. “There's no doubt about it. He won in [1]:49[.4] last year. “This horse has got all the ability in the world. You know, he's not an easy horse, but now he's an easy horse to drive, and it's a pleasure to win this race tonight.
"I'm not worried about speed – never be worried about that,” added Gingras. “I'm worried about winning big races. Maple Leaf Trot means a lot, no doubt. My uncle is here tonight, that surprised me. So, it's special that I have my family around."
It was the third Maple Leaf Trot crown for both Gingras and trainer Ron Burke, who teamed to win the 2017 edition with Hannelore Hanover the 2020 edition with Atlanta.
Burke co-owns Lexus Kody with Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Phillip Collura.
The 7-year-old son of Archangel out of the Ken Warkentin mare Lexus Helios came into the Maple Leaf Trot final off a similarly sharp showing in his $50,000 elimination last week, a head score in 1:51.0 capped off by a final quarter in :27.0.
Lexus Kody, who became the first Ontario-sired trotter to break the 1:50 barrier at The Meadowlands on the 2024 Hambletonian Day undercard, was even more impressive with six figures on the line Saturday evening.
Bred by Norm Dunstan, Lexus Kody is now 32-20-11 from 84 career starts, accompanied by over $1.2 million in purse earnings.
He paid $13.30 for the victory.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Mohawk Park
