Balance out sprinted rivals to score a seven-length victory in the $76,500 Whenuwishuponastar Series final on Tuesday (Aug. 10) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Making her first appearance since the first leg, Balance delivered a strong maiden-breaking performance as the 1-2 favourite for driver James MacDonald and trainer Nancy Takter. The daughter of Bettors Delight was making just her second start after finishing second in the opening-leg of the series.

The opening quarter of the race saw a three-horse battle, with Beyond The Sea and I Love On Gait side by side while Balance was right behind and ready to brush around to the lead in the second quarter. After a :27 opener, Balance charged to the top and led through a snappy half-mile clocking of :55.1.

Facing no pressure in the third-quarter, Balance and MacDonald got a :30 breather to set up a final-quarter sprint. The Takter trainee unleashed a strong burst to leave her rivals behind, pacing home in :28.1 to secure the 1:53.1 victory. Preliminary-leg winners One Last Bet and I Love Ongait finished second and third, respectively.

“That’s a big half (:55.1) for two-year-olds this time of the year, it’s only her second lifetime start,” said MacDonald of the early fractions. “[I Love Ongait] was on my back and I knew if I was going to last I needed to sneak a breather in somewhere, but last turn I tapped the brakes and she swelled up, so she’s just a really nice filly and a real pro.”

MacDonald noted the change in demeanour for Balance on Tuesday night compared to her career debut.

“It was her first week here and she was looking at everything the whole mile, even in post-parade I could really get her on the bit or paying attention to what I wanted her to do, but that’s why Nancy [Takter] is Nancy, she brought her today and she was just a pro. She knew exactly what she had to do and the horse was terrific.”

A daughter of Bettors Delight, Balance is the ninth foal out of West Of L A, the dam of million-dollar winners Somewhere In L A, L A Delight and $600,000-plus winner Sunny Dee. The Whenuwishuponastar victory gives Balance $43,250 earned for owners Diamond Creek Racing.

The Takter trained Balance is eligible to all of Woodbine Mohawk Park’s upcoming Grand Circuit events.

A $2 win ticket on Balance returned $3.10.

(Woodbine Communications)

To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.