The fog was nowhere to be found during Tuesday’s card of racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and that was good news for trotting fans.
The Campbellville, Ont. oval hosted a Preferred Trot plus the opening leg of the Harvest Series for two-year-old fillies, and it also wrapped up some unfinished business from Monday’s card – the second division of the Harvest Series for two-year-old pacing fillies.
Briarwood Belle drew first blood in the $17,000 lone division of the event for the trotting fillies, and she did so for catch-driver Paul MacDonell.
He was in no hurry with the Rick Zeron trainee, who got away sixth and watched Royaltys Pearl whack out fractions of :28.3 and :59.2 before getting pressed to the three-quarter pole by P L Molly. MacDonell had Briarwood Belle positioned third-over, and when he flipped the switch coming off the turn his charge kicked into gear and propelled herself to the win. She drew clear to win by 3-3/4 lengths over Nifty Trick. Rounding out the Trifecta ticket was Royaltys Pearl.
The daughter of Archangel-Winbak Lola is owned by Rick Zeron Stables, James Walker and Hugh Sutherland. The partners watched the filly break her maiden while pushing her earnings to $16,870.
Dream Together was a popular winner in the $34,000 Preferred Trot for the tandem of driver Bob McClure and trainer Luc Blais.
The four-year-old daughter of got away third and watched stablemate Emoticon Hanover supply the field with a first quarter clocked in :27.3. McClure edged his charge off the rail as soon as they entered the backstretch, and in a matter of strides the favourite found the front.
Once in charge of the speed, Dream Together strolled through sensible middle splits of :56.2 and 1:25.2. That left her with plenty of speed in reserve for the stretch drive. She rocketed home in :27.2 to fend off a late-rushing B Yoyo by a half-length margin. Emoticon Hanover took home the show dough.
It was the sixth win of the season – and the 14th to date – for the four-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill-Danae. Determination of Montreal, QC owns the career winner of $772,794.
It was one of five wins on the program for teamster Bob McClure, who also scored with Mission Three (Race 1 - 1:52), Steuben Hanover (Race 2 - 1:55.4), Regil Tiger (Race 4 - 1:52.3) and Company Man (Race 8 - 1:52).
While his win total has dropped off since making the move to full-time to Woodbine Mohawk Park, McClure has enjoyed his biggest season in the purse earnings department. He's racked up his first $4 million season, and has bumped his career total in excess of $15 million.
Contested as a non-wagering event prior to the 10-race card, Charmbo Brie stepped to a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2 in the second division of the Harvest Series for two-year-old pacing fillies.
Lost as part of Monday’s cancellation due to fog, the race was carried over to Tuesday evening where weather conditions were perfect.
Highmoon Sunshine shot to the lead and hit the quarter pole in :27.1 before being overtaken in the backstretch by Loves Delight. The new leader carved out middle splits of :57 and 1:25.4, but she couldn’t fend off the first-over pressure applied by Charmbo Brie. MacDonell got her to step home in :27.4 en route to the neck decision over Highmoon Sunshine. Loves Delight held on to finish third.
Jack Rier of Kitchener, Ont. bred, owns and trains the daughter of Betterthancheddar-Pretty Bo. It was the second win in 11 starts for the freshman who upped her lifetime earnings to $25,821 with the win.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.