Track-record holder Warrawee Vital braved the stretch headwinds at the start and to the finish to post a front-stepping victory in the $40,000 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday (Sept. 11) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

A quartet barreled for the lead to the first turn with Warrawee Vital emerging quickest and clearing control past a :27.1 first quarter to pocket Mayhem Hanover, while Nocturnal Bluechip raced third and Century Farroh settled into fourth. Warrawee Vital cruised on the point to a :55.1 half and kept the speed hot to three-quarters in 1:22.2, where Mayhem Hanover started to angle from second with Fortify rolling up to his back. Mayhem Hanover bore down on Warrawee Vital through the stretch, but the four-year-old Captaintreacherous stallion held his ground and strode gamely to a 1:50 victory. Century Farroh fired up the pylons for third while Fortify gave chase in fourth.

Owned by Blair Corbeil, N. Yolanda Fellows and M&S Racing Stable Inc., Warrawee Vital won his fourth race from 13 starts this season and his 12th from 29 overall, bumping his earnings to $376,506. Trevor Henry drove the $9.70 winner for trainer Rob Fellows.

The Open Handicap Pace is part of a stakes-packed card anchored by the 2021 Pepsi North America Cup. Read all the recaps from Cup night in the 2021 Pepsi North America Cup News Centre.