Wheels On Fire was hindered by broken equipment in last his last outing, but everything was all systems go on Saturday (Nov. 19) in the Preferred 2 Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver Doug McNair hustled the slight second choice to the top from post five ahead of last week's Preferred winner, Century Heineken (Bob McClure). Wheels On Fire cleared into the first turn and fronted the field of seven in the $30,000 event through a :28.2 opening quarter and :55.4 half.
Heading to the third station, Codename Cigar Box (Travis Cullen) started a first-over attack and pressured the pacesetter through a 1:23.3 third station but he couldn't get past the leader's wheel. McNair maintained that advantage on top with Wheels On Fire and kept the fresh threat of Century Heineken pinned to the pylons through the stretch drive. With a :27.4 closer, Wheels On Fire was three-quarters of a length better than Century Heineken with the mile timed in 1:51.2. Codename Cigar Box was another length back in third.
Trained by Richard Moreau for owner Brad Grant, seven-year-old Wheels On Fire (Somebeachsomewhere - Ab Fab) picked up his ninth win of the year and 44th lifetime in his 130th start. The winner's share of the purse lifted the 2021 O'Brien Award winner's earnings to $956,338. He paid $6.10 to win.
The overnight action on the Saturday night card also included the first leg of a pop-up series for horses that are non-winners of $35,000 in 2022 or not averaging $1,250 per start this year. Winners of those three dashes were Midnight Mood (1:55.3, $3.40), Arties Ideal (1:54.2, $4.80) and Uncontrollable (1:54.2, $8.70).
To view the full results from Saturday at Mohawk, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.