A16 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Field ail set for Metro Pace .1m . h, rrît " ,tt tV0,ca >,L nid j)aVuît, mi action Saturday night at Mohawk, in two $40,000 elimi- nations for this coming week- end's big prize, the $ 1-million Metro Pace. The top five in each elimina- tion qualified for Saturdays final, with the winners earning the right to select their post positions. The Metro - the richest event in North America for rwo- year-olds - bas heen won in past by such stars as jeremes jet, Rocknroll Hanover, Sir Luck, Mach Three, Presidential Bail and Artspiace. Judging by the elimination resuhts, Hall of Fame driverjohn Campbell could be in uine to register a record fiftb Metro vie- tory after steening the prohibi- tive 2-5 pick, Artzina, to, a one- and-one-balf length win over a closing Honky Tonk Hanover in the first qualifier in 1:52.3. Pandoras Sox finisbed third, witb Laughing Art fourth and Funny Bones fifth. The son of Artiscape left from post itine and was parked by Pandoras Sox to, the first quarter in :26.3, hefore taking over and getting to, the baif in 56 seconds flat. After being headed in a bold challenge from Funny Bones approacbing the three- quarter mark, which was reached in 1:24.4, Artzina broke , Hoo Beat away down the lane for the win - his fourth in six starts for traîner Dylan Davis. Farlier in the year, the bay colt won the Goshen Cup on June 29 and was third to Fox Valley Barzgar in the Woodrow Wilson August 4, after captur- ing bis elimination the week hefore - ail at the Meadowlands. "He's actually a littie bit het- ter coming at horses; he pays attention a little more," said Campbell, wbo last won the Metro in 2000 with Pro Bono Best. "When he was on the front, he wasn't paying attention until that horse (Funny Bones) got up beside him. Then he dug in when i asked bîm and paced througb the wire very weIl." "I don't think he was quite as good (as be bas been). He hadn't raced in three weeks so, 1 think he's rigbt on track to be as good as he bas been ail year." The second elimination went to another heavy favourite, Mr Apples, a son of Bettors Delight, and driver Ron Pierce, who fended off a late charge from in wir h\ t Cbarley Barley bung on for third, with Running Book fourth and Just Plug It In fifth. It was tbe third win in five starts for the Brenda Teague- trained Mr. Apples, who'll renew bis rivahry witb Artzina in the Metro final. Artzina got tbe better of him by a nose in a Woodrow Wilson elimination, but in tbe final, Mr. Apples wound up second, four lengtbs in front of tbird place finisher Artzina. Sitting a perfect third for most of the mile, as Mattdultery cranked out some fast early frac- tions C:26.4 for the quarter, :54.4 at the balO), Mr. Apples - the 1- 2 post time choice - moved to challenge around tbe far tumn and took over from the paceset- ter after the three-quarters was reached in 1:23.3. From tbere, Piîerce kept bis colt to the task, holding Yankee Skyscaper and driver John Campbell safe in the ciosing strides. "I was pretty confident (about winning tonight)," said .Pierce, who'll be looking for bis first Metro win. "He was in witb a hunch of nice colts, tbougb. i didn't want to, come first up, but i really bad no choice but to, come. i just kind of sat bim, out there until the head of the stretch." Sioko AIarms It's The Law., The Ontario Fire Code requires that every home have working smoke alarms. e, spots Instali them necein your home or cottage today! If your dishes have spots, cati US. if you have spots, cati a doctor. 400 LBS SALT INSTALLATION INCLUDED (A $200.00 VALUE) 623 Main Street Est, Milton. Ontario 905-88-247 better wider. oure und simule.' H.,d -te, lea,ýs esdýý beh,ýd, ý tG Qet ov j he, W., A C ýaef v,4- -dces nrd bo'd ýate, eý,rc3 yý,, pla, aýd yoý, qýassýae dea, Fo, ny oth yG, get seek ý.dc.1 ttemýoý E.pe tfie d'ý'eeýce car, rno- V.5 CUWGAN.com. c«R+ A4*~e~' ~ a i