In the 5th race, the ever talented, ever consistent, ever entertaining, St Lads Popcorn, has drawn to her advantage, lining up behind the starting gate in post position #1.

Popcorn, fresh off her Super Finals win last Saturday night at Woodbine, destroyed her field of rivals, on a rain packed, snow showered, sleet soaked racetrack, in a more than honest time of 1:54/4, last quarter in :29/3. Her mile time is a testament to her heart, guts and determination to win, under any racing conditions placed in her way.

The Super Final win elevated the daughter of, Twin B Champ- Hot Butter- Northern Luck, seasons stats to read like a Cinderella story, scripted in Hollywood. She now has 13 starts under her belt with a 10-1-0 standing and a bulging bankroll of $562,323. Canadian, topped off with a speed mark of 1:52:2 taken at Mohawk in late Sept.

One word sums up her year long accomplishments, Spectacular.

Not to shabby for a filly that hasn't raced outside of the Province. Even if she was to fail and get beat this Friday night at Flamboro, she would still win her year end, O'Brien Award, for 2yr old filly pacer. It' should bea done deal and deservedly so, she's entitled to the accolades and acknowledgment, for she is a true champion, hands down, bar none. This year will show the horsemen of Ontario,how much weight the OSS really carries in North America.

Racing back in just six short days says she'll be plenty tight and well I think I'm just going to have to play a straight $20. Triactor ticket, 1-8-7 simply because it adds up. One plus seven equals eight and well, I kind of just like the names Icey Breeze and Taylorlane Fancy. Crazy Eh!! What the heck it's only money.

In the first Trillium division, Shellace, has the rail for trainer Scott McNiven and owner Donald Douglas of Ingersoll, Ontario. The Aces N Sevens filly has been knocking heads with St Lads Popcorn all season but has to her advantage, slipped past the dream crusher this night and that, coupled with post position and a different driver, along with her fourth place finish to Popcorn, in the Super Final Saturday night, says she's ready for some redemption and hopefully a big mile will materialize from the equation differentials.

It won't be a cake walk, lining up beside her is, Mufasas Place, Stonebridge Breeze and Northern Duchess in that order from the rail out.

Northern Duchess has the best credentials, 12 starts, 2-6-1 good for $209,228 and a sporty mark of 1:55. But the way her and her stablemate, Star Gazed, stopped in the Super Final, I suspect a virus or sickness has invaded John Pentland's barn and with only six days between starts, I'm thinking I'm going to lay off her and bet the other three in post position order. Taking another $20. Straight Triactor 1-2-3.

Maybe if I bought a program, I'd be betting the two divisions differently but I learned a long time ago, a program, will more than likely just confuse you.

Robert Leatham