After watching a dogfight on the front-end, Dabarndawgswatchin launched her attack in the snowy stretch and prevailed in a blanket finish to the Friday, Jan. 10 feature at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a $28,000 high-end distaff pace.
Driver Bob McClure put 7-5 favourite Huntress on the point over outside leaver Lee Loo and Doug McNair before reaching the quarter pole in :27.3 and was met with a challenge down the backstretch as last-out winner So Much More and birthday boy James MacDonald advanced from fourth alongside the leader at the half-mile mark in :57. Those two mares went head-to-head through the final turn to three-quarters in 1:24.3 with Huntress giving way to So Much More in the stretch, but the closers were closing in. Chasing off cover, Dabarndawgswatchin won the sprint to the finish, prevailing in her season's debut by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.4 for Trevor Henry.
Dabarndawgswatchin, who has hit the board in her last five starts with Henry at the helm, was sent postward as the 5-2 second choice in the field of a half dozen and paid $7.40 to win. So Much More held on for second with a photo finish for show as Glenboro and Travis Cullen split rivals for third and Caviar N Crackers, with Ed Hensley aboard, rallied on the far outside to get fourth-place while Lee Loo secured the final paycheque at the pylons.
Dabarndawgswatchin, a seven-year-old homebred daughter of Hes Watching and Addison Bay, notched her 26th career win and lifted her earnings to $765,660 for owners Julia Ferguson of Greely, Ont., and Lloyd Stone of Portland, Ont.
Dabarndawgswatchin gave Henry back-to-back winners on the 10-race card and completed a training double for Menary, who is an O'Brien Award finalist for Trainer Of The Year after a career-best campaign in 2024 when his stable earned more than $2.7 million in purses.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)