Prescotts Hope was a popular winner in Saturday night's opener at Woodbine Racetrack as he scored his second consecutive 1:49.2 victory in the $34,000 Preferred Pace.
Fresh off a six-plus length romp in last week's Preferred, 4-5 favourite Prescotts Hope ($3.90) and driver Phil Hudon took the lead at the half-mile mark and won by two and a half lengths this time out for Hamilton-based trainer Mike Brealey and co-owner Edward Gorc of Sudbury, Ont.
Hudon settled the five-year-old gelding away fourth during a contested :25.3 first quarter in which Evenin Of Pleasure parked Nirvana Seelster and Ellis Park assumed the pocket position. After Nirvana Seelster took back into the three-hole, Hudon made his move with Prescotts Hope and edged ahead of the early leader at the :54.1 half-mile mark. Prescotts Hope then proceeded to three-quarters in 1:21.4 with Ellis Park edging off the pylons. But Prescotts Hope began to open up on top turning for home and built up an insurmountable lead to secure the victory while Ellis Park overtook Evenin Of Pleasure for second-place honours.
The son of No Pan Intended has earned eight of his 13 career wins this year for his first $100,000 season.
Hudon and Brealey also teamed up for a victory with five-year-old gelding Bilbo Hanover, who delivered on his even-money pari-mutuel promise with a 1:51.1 triumph in a $25,000 conditioned pace.
Three-year-old trotting gelding Marquis Volo continued his win streak for trainer Per Henriksen as he scored for the sixth consecutive time. Randy Waples drove the son of Credit Winner to the 1:56 triumph in an $18,000 trotting event.
Hudon and Waples both had driving doubles on the 11-race card while Sylvain Filion won three races and is now just two wins shy of the 8,000 milestone mark.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.