Entering undefeated from six starts, 3-5 favourite Sunny Dee breezed around the Woodbine Mohawk Park oval on Saturday, May 18 to take the $165,290 SBOA Three-Year-Old Filly Pace in 1:53.
Summer Charm charged for the top from the center of the gate while Sunny Dee floated into contention towards the inside approaching the first turn. Driver Trevor Henry soon edged the Robert McIntosh trainee off the pegs and to the lead passing a :27.2 opening quarter before slowing the tempo to a :57.1 half.
Girls Got Rhythm ranged first over from the slow pace to challenge Sunny Dee for the front circling the final turn. Sunny Dee began to kick away from her competition past three-quarters in 1:24.4 and cruised through the stretch as Girls Got Rhythm retreated. Stablemate Thats Incredible rallied towards the inside to get second while Better Single lunged on the grandstand side for third.
A daughter of Sunshine Beach, Sunny Dee remains unbeaten from seven starts, earning $135,645. The $3.30 winner races for owners Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., C S X STables and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc.
"She's phenomenal," trainer Bob McIntosh said after the race. "Last year she was extra special, but unfortunately she kicked a stall wall and cracked her coffin bone in behind or else you would have a lot from her last year. But she's come back and made amends for that this year. I couldn't ask for much more—I know it's going to get much, much tougher—but I've got a lot of faith in this filly. She's not going to win every time, but I wouldn't trade her for anything I can think of."
Odds-on favourite Haveoneforme raced unhurriedly but hustled to the front when called upon in the stretch to take the $164,290 SBOA Three-Year-Old Filly Trot in 1:56.1
Teddys Littleangel took control from post 10 circling the first turn with Mattys Smilin yielding the lead past a :28.2 opening quarter. Driver Paul MacDonell placed 1-5 choice Haveoneforme in fifth and eventually flushed cover from Bright Eyes M moving to a :59.1 half.
Bright Eyes M surged towards the top around the final turn and towed the favourite closer to contention past a 1:28.4 third quarter. The two elim winners battled through the stretch with Haveoneforme sliding past under minimal encouragement to win, leaving Bright Eyes M open lengths better than Mattys Smilin in third and Presto Change O rallying for fourth.
"She's a nice filly; she's done everything right," winning trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman said after the race. "She seems to keep getting better. She had some issues when she was two [and I] wasn't really sure if she showed some talent, but she's done a great job and Mac gave her a great drive. She's a little pro—she likes to size one up and put them away."
Owned by Enzed Racing Stable Inc., Melvin Hartman and Little E LLC, Haveoneforme, a daughter of Kadabra out of the Muscles Yankee mare All Filled Up, won her fifth race from seven starts, earning $118,762. She paid $2.50 to win.
Reigning Horse of the Year McWicked made a statement in his season debut by winning the $34,000 Preferred in 1:49.4. The Casie Coleman trainee came first up on the far turn from mid-pack and used the entire length of the stretch to wear down Sintra for a thrilling victory.
Sintra made a second-quarter move to the top and led by the half in :55.2. The Stephanie Jamieson trainee and driver Jody Jamieson created separation on their rivals by pacing a :27.3 third-quarter.
McWicked was more than four lengths from Sintra turning for home and delivered a stunning performance in the lane to track down and pace by Sintra in the final strides for a victory of just over a length.
McWicked's season-debut victory snapped Sintra’s win streak at seven. P L Jackson finished third while American Virgin was fourth.
Now eight-years-old, McWicked is back to defend his Canadian and American Horse of the Year title. He won 12 of 19 starts and earned $1.6 million last season to bring his career earnings to over $4 million for owner S S G Stables.
The 35th career victory for McWicked saw him return $3 for a $2 win ticket.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.