Sire Always B Miki had a big Boxing Day at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as Mikki Sixx romped in the $35,200 Niagara Series final before A Class Yankee overcame post 10 to take the $33,800 Valedictory final on the 12-race afternoon card on Thursday, Dec. 26.

In the Niagara final for three-year-old pacing fillies who were non-winners of $60,000 lifetime entering November, Mikki Sixx (pictured above) left from the rail position with driver James MacDonald in tow. MacDonald got the 3-2 favourite away in fourth entering the first turn while Always B Merry (Anthony Haughan) led to the quarter in :27.4 battling to the inside of Miss Dutton (Louis-Philippe Roy).

Miss Dutton cleared briefly on the backstretch before Mikki Sixx steamrolled first-over, taking command at the halfway point in :56.4. Mikki Sixx opened up by 1-3/4 lengths on the final turn, reaching three-quarters in 1:24.4 as Miss Dutton battled a first-up Fox Valley Tessa (Kyle Husted) for second.

Mikki Sixx powered away at the top of the lane, widening her margin throughout the stretch to reach the wire 3-3/4 lengths clear in 1:52.1. Grit N Grace (Bob McClure) rallied for the second spot while Miss Dutton held sway for third. 

Trained by Gregg McNair for owners Frank Brundle and Ryan Bender, the three-year-old rookie daughter of Always B Miki-Thecrowdiswatching has won eight of 11 starts in 2024. The 1:52.1 clocking was a career best for Mikki Sixx and the win vaulted her career earnings to $88,480.

A race prior, Definingthe Moment ($5) utilized front-stepping tactics to take the $17,000 Niagara Consolation in 1:54.3 with Todd Ratchford driving for trainer Roger Mayotte. 

Later in the card, A Class Yankee closed hard from off the pace to score from post 10 at 3-1 in the Valedictory final for three-year-old pacing colts who were non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31. 

Driver Michael Whelan floated A Class Yankee into sixth early as Gandalf The Bay (Trevor Henry) sprinted out to grab the early lead through a quarter of :27. The field remained in straight alignment to the half in :56.4 before Brudon (James MacDonald) charged first-over to the leader's wheel at three-quarters in 1:25.2 with A Class Yankee poised to strike from second-over. 

Turning for home, Gandalf The Bay looked poised to pull off a 13-1 shocker as he sprinted clear before A Class Yankee began to pick up steam off cover. Soaring home in :26.2, A Class Yankee continued to reel in Gandalf The Bay late, getting up by a half-length in 1:52.2. Lotto Max (Brett MacDonald) secured the show spot at 34-1.

A Class Yankee is trained by Walter Whelan for owner Christopher Nicol. The gelded son of Always B Miki-Classy Chris is a three-time winner in 17 seasonal outings, banking $86,646 on the year and going over $100,000 for his career with the victory.

In addition to the series finals, a pair of $14,000 Pop-up Series divisions for pacing fillies and mares who are non-winners of $30,000 in 2024. Charmbro Stormy (Austin Sorrie, $5.70) went first over to take the first division in 1:53.4 for trainer Jared Mann before Fated Fire (James MacDonald, $41.50) pulled a 19-1 shocker in the second division to score in 1:54.4.

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

(Standardbred Canada)