After a pocket-popping win at the top class a week ago, Saulsbrook Victor raced aggressively throughout to land a repeat victory in the $34,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night (Jan. 7).
Driver Austin Sorrie sent Saulsbrook Victor for the point to a :26.1 first quarter before yielding command to Sintra into the backside. Sorrie then tipped Saulsbrook Victor back off the pegs to reclaim control past a :54.4 half and rolled strongly to three-quarters in 1:23.4. With a breather under the bit, Saulsbrook Victor braved for home as So Much More barreled off cover in pursuit of the lead late. Saulsbrook Victor held his ground to the pegs and to the beam, keeping a length in front of So Much More with Sometime Somewhere settling for third in a dead-heat with Points North closing from third over. The winning time was 1:51.
Brett MacDonald owns Saulsbrook Victor, a five-year-old gelding by Source Of Pride. The Ronald MacDonald trainee collected his 11th win from 47 starts and pushed his bankroll to $210,885. He paid $5.40 to win.
A trio of second-prelim divisions of Pop-Up Series went to gate on the Saturday undercard. Beachin Lindy delivered in the first division while drifting to the center of the course but kicking for the finish to stop the clock in 1:54.1, finishing 2-1/4 lengths better than Arukidinme Cabbie. Austin Sorrie steered the Stephen Charlton trainee, who paid $3.40 to win.
Clever Character, despite a broken headpole, charged for the finish headstrong to take a three-quarter-length victory as the 7-5 favourite over G A Speed Sammy in 1:53.4. Travis Cullen steered the Jodie Cullen trainee to complete a training hat trick for the barn, which won earlier on the night with Dontpokethedragon ($14.40 to win) and Snow Shark ($5.60).
While closers took the first two divisions, speed ruled the final Pop-Up split with James MacDonald uncorking a pillar-to-post job with Michelle LeBlanc trainee St Lads Cash. He clocked a 1:51.3 mile to best pocket-sitter Maximumlovin by 2-3/4 lengths and paid $5 to win.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.