Oney Hall is an avid cheque-getter, but has been waiting to make his latest winner's circle appearance. On Monday, Jan. 15, the Chantal Mitchell student broke the spell and won the $36,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Pikachu Hanover (Doug McNair) took the early lead and hollowed out the opening panel in :28.1 while Oney Hall (James MacDonald) followed in the pocket. Heavily backed Amigo Volo (Tyler Borth) swept to the top and pushed Pikachu Hanover to second and Oney Hall to third as he set two more panels in :57.1 and 1:26.1. MacDonald pulled his right line and sent Oney Hall to the outside through the third panel. Cruising through the final turn, Oney Hall took over and continued home to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.2. Truffles Too (Sylvain Filion) followed in second and Locatelli (Chris Christoforou) rounded out the triactor.
Oney Hall is a career earner of $693,704 and a record of 34-22-13 from 123 starts. Trainer Chantal Mitchell co-owns the eight-year-old gelded son of Deweycheatumnhowe and the Conway Hall mare On With The Show with Alan Leavitt. As the 5-1 second choice, Oney Hall returned $11 to win.
Dontpokethedragon (Custard The Dragon-Rummys Command) won his fifth race in a row on the evening card with Tyler Borth holding the lines for Kyle Fellows in the 1-1/2-length triumph in 1:54. The seven-year-old gelding is a winner of 38 career races and $372,640 in 126 starts. He returned $3.50 to win as the bettors' choice.
Ken Middleton made his return to the announcer's booth on Monday after a training accident sidelined him for six months.
"It's good to be back," Middleton said on the return. "I am feeling a lot better than I was, say, four months ago. Feeling a lot better since actually Christmas. It's been a battle to get back here. Starting to feel better and better every day. Just trying to stay positive and healthy and take care of myself."
He added, "There's nothing more therapeutic than working with a horse."
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)