Since making an appearance on Canadian soil with conditioner Richard Moreau, Taurasi has finished third followed by three straight victories in the feature class at Woodbine Mohawk Park. On Saturday (Jan. 6), the five-year-old Racing Hill gelding won the $36,000 Preferred Pace as part of his continued success in the featured division.
As the gate pulled away and the field moved through the first turn, Livinthebeachlife (Louis-Philippe Roy) battled against Covered Bridge (James MacDonald) for the front. Through the opening panel in :26.3 and half in :55.1, Taurasi (Doug McNair) settled in fourth along the rail. Livinthebeachlife continued on the front, followed by Covered Bridge. Taurasi pulled first over en route to the three-quarters in 1:23.2. In the final turn, McNair and the Moreau student had achieved the lead with open track ahead. The pair strided home to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:51.1. Points North (Sylvain Filion) finished second while Covered Bridge rounded out the triactor.
Brad Grant co-owns Taurasi with Alagna Racing LLC. In 32 career appearances, the gelding has a new record of 13 wins, five seconds and five thirds with $419,321 in the bank. Living up to his designation as the bettors' choice, Taurasi paid $3.50 to win.
Along with Taurasi, Moreau trained four victors after MacDonald piloted Maskedman ($4.30) to a half-length victory in 1:53.3, McNair took Stormalong to a one-length victory in 1:52.2 and McNair returned in the finale with a half-length victory in 1:54 with Rockabilly Rebel N ($4.60).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)