Steady action on the front poised Ben Baillargeon trainee Voelz Delight to roll over the top and snag victory in the $30,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace on Saturday night (Dec. 17) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Ahoy launched to the lead but yielded to Need To Breathe by a :27.3 first quarter, who then endured a challenge up the backside when Intothemysticmoon brushed uncovered for the lead. After a :55.3 half, Intothemysticmoon cleared the lead but quickly faced pressure with Need To Breathe lifting from the pocket and pushing to then take the lead past three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Need To Breathe gasped for air as the backfield swung into action. Odds-on choice Dabarndawgswatchin emerged from second over into contention with JKs Rollin Baby and Voelz Delight building momentum deeper on the track. The outermost pair swiftly swooped by in the final strides with Voelz Delight dashing her head in front of JKs Rollin Baby to win in 1:51.4. Dabarndawgswatchin settled for third and Need To Breathe settled for fourth.

Owned and bred by Richard Berthiaume, Voelz Delight won her 11th race from 43 starts and has now earned $642,862. James MacDonald drove the four-year-old Bettors Delight mare, who paid $8.70 to win.

Unsung Hero scored a repeat victory when taking the $18,000 second preliminary for the Valedictory Series in 1:51.1.

The Chantal Mitchell trainee sat fourth while Full Disclosure uncorked his usual early speed show of :26.4 and :54.3, but began rolling for the loose speedster as he clawed to three-quarters in 1:22.4. Full Disclosure promptly folded off the corner and Unsung Hero sprung to an open lead in the lane to then win by a diminishing 2-3/4 lengths over JK Miki Mantle, who shook loose in the stretch and rallied home for second. Ultra Image closed for third and Full Disclosure settled for fourth.

Howard Taylor and Curtis Daniels own Unsung Hero, a three-year-old gelding by Always B Miki who won his seventh race from 20 starts and has now earned $76,940. Louis-Philippe Roy drove the $4.10 winner.

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