While the bulk of harness racing's attention was at The Meadowlands on Saturday, Nov. 25, the $36,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk might have been the most exciting race of the evening.
This seven-horse contest had action from pillar to post, and when the dust settled Cold Creek Queso emerged victorious.
The top class dash started with a contested opening quarter, posted by the outermost starter in the group, Camara Moment and Doug McNair from post seven. Clearing to the top through a sharp :26.1 opening quarter, Camara Moment was immediately pressured by a pocket-popping Brett MacDonald and Saulsbrook Victor.
Under duress, Saulsbrook Victor found the front and hit the half in :55.1 but had his own threat for the top as Livinthebeachlife (Jonathan Drury) ranged into contention. American History (Dale Spence) was spotted second over, with Points North (Sylvain Filion) in striking distance on Filion's helmet.
Livinthebeachlife stuck a neck in front at the 1:23.2 third station but couldn't clear Saulsbrook Victor. Both Spence and Filion had right-lined their respective charges into three- and four-wide position at this point and looked poised to pounce turning for home.
Sitting seventh and last at the three-quarter mark, Jody Jamieson fanned Cold Creek Queso widest of all around favoured Emmetts Buddy (Tyler Borth), who slipped out from behind Points North into the six path as a seven-wide cavalry charge stormed down the Mohawk stretch to the wire. With afterburners engaged through a :26.3 final stanza, Cold Creek Queso zoomed by his rivals for the three-quarter length decision in 1:51. Emmetts Buddy and Points North completed the triactor ticket.
Murray Brethour trains Cold Creek Queso (Betterthancheddar-Machbethslady) for owner Cold Creek Standardbred of Grafton, Ont. The win was his seventh of the season and 14th lifetime, with the lion's share of the purse giving the Ontario Sires Stakes graduate a $457,729 bankroll. He paid $36.90 to win as the second longest shot on the board.
To view the full results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Mohawk, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.