Temperatures are slowly climbing and times are slowly falling as Points North posted the first sub-1:50 mile of the year in Canada on Saturday (April 2) when winning the $28,000 featured pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Driver James MacDonald motored the seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding to the lead from post eight and cleared through a :26.2 first quarter to pocket Stonebridge Rex into the backstretch. From there, the Carmen Auciello trainee cruised on a speed mission and saw no rivals through a :55 half and three-quarters in 1:22.3. Points North then strolled into the stretch to hit the line in 1:49.3, finishing 2-1/4 lengths better than Stonebridge Rex in second. Beyond Better rallied for third and Real Willey rode the pylons for fourth.

Owned by Aaron Waxman and Frank Cirillo, Points North won his fourth race from 14 starts this season and his 30th from 126 overall, lifting his lifetime earnings to $644,234. He paid $6.30 to win and was part of a training hat trick for Auciello, who also sent Tuckers Out ($5.40) and Grand Poobah ($8.50) to victories on the card.

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