Windsong Soprano turned in a flawless performance to capture the $501,600 Peaceful Way Stakes Final for two-year-old trotting fillies in 1:57.1 over a rain-soaked Mohawk Racetrack on Sunday night.
Steve Condren had the daughter of Windsongs Legacy leaving alertly from post four and she was able to avoid an early break in stride by the hard-leaving Seaside who jumped it off as the field reached the first turn.
Windsong Soprano tucked in briefly behind Elusive Desire in the :28.2 first quarter, but as soon as the field straightened up toward the half, Condren tipped her to the outside and took over command.
Dover Miss, who was taken wide by the breaker in the first turn, moved up to challenge at the halfway point but then made a brief bobble which cost her momentum.
At that point, I Wanted Wings went three-wide around that stalled rival and took up the chase after the pacesetter. All the while, the undefeated Raising Rachel, sat patiently at the inside fourth until a seam to come to the outside developed on the last turn.
Raising Rachel tipped to the outside, but gapped her cover at head stretch. In the meantime, Windsong Soprano kept rolling along up front, putting up the third panel in 1:27.1.
From there, she would not let anyone up to her wheel and she crossed the wire with more than two lengths to spare on a gutsy I Wanted Wings. Elusive Desire managed to fend off Raising Rachel for the show spot.
"I've liked this filly from the day we bought her last year in Harrisburg," said winning trainer Bob McIntosh. "She's never really had a bad day. We took our time with her and brought her along carefully, letting her get stronger. Steve (Condren) and I have worked together for over 20 years with the young horses. We try to set them up for a night this and teach them some manners so they're ready to go. When it works out, it's sweet."
The victory was just the second in five lifetime tries for Windsong Soprano who improved her seasonal earnings to just over $300,000 for Lothlorien of Cheltenham, Ontario.
(WEG)
To view Sunday's results, click here.