Following a dominant upper-level conditioned score last week, Dancer Hall ($7.10) had no trouble stepping up his game in the Preferred ranks, posting a 1:52.2 win over favourite Warrawee Roo in the $34,000 featured trotting event on Tuesday evening (June 12) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The four-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe entire protected inside position in an early tussle with Big Rich (Louis-Philippe Roy) before yielding control of the terms to Warrawee Roo (Bob McClure) just beyond a :28 first-quarter split. Through middle sectionals of :55.4 and 1:24, Dancer Hall tracked more loosely, but was never challenged for second spot as Big Rich stalled in his pursuit of the top pair on the far turn. Nearing head-stretch, Dancer Hall had closed the pocket back up, and Sylvain Filion angled him off the pegs immediately upon straightening for home. Dancer Hall responded at once, accelerating to collar Warrawee Roo with 150 yards to go and winning by a measured 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.2, his fastest winning mile to date. R First Class (Mario Baillargeon) sustained a gradual bid off the far turn to take third, another 3-1/4 lengths in arrears.

Paul Reid trains Dancer Hall, a winner in four of six starts this year and a 12-time winner through his career, for 1187422 Ontario Inc.

To view Tuesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.