Overcoming her assigned post, Gias Surreal soared to a 1:51.4 victory in the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Nov. 6).
James MacDonald, who took over the drive on the Don Lindsey trainee for an injured Bob McClure, took over command with Gias Surreal from post nine past a :26.3 first quarter. Lit De Rose rode the pocket up the backstretch while the speed slowed to a :55.4 half.
Bestseller Hanover, the slight 2-1 favourite, committed to race first over out of fifth moving to the final turn but advanced only slightly to three-quarters as Gias Surreal accelerated there in 1:23.4. The five-year-old So Surreal mare strolled into the stretch chased home by 45-1 shot Snow Shark, who took second by a length with Lit De Rose third and Karma Seelster sweeping from off cover for fourth.
Owned by James Graham, Edward Peron, Lee Winters and Thomas Mariano, Gias Surreal won her sixth race from 27 starts this season and her 25th from 81 overall, earning $486,942. She paid $7.50 to win.
Dabarndawgswatchin reeled in tiring leaders to land a half-length victory in the $25,000 event for three-year-old pacing fillies, which serves as a preparatory event for several fillies ahead of the $144,825 SBOA Final slated for next Saturday (Nov. 13).
Western Wish rolled off the wings from post 10 to lead 9-5 favourite Voelz Delight to a :27.1 first quarter. She continued on the speed to a :55.2 half as Bet On Becky angled from fifth to race first over about eight lengths off the lead. Driver Jody Jamieson caught that cover with Dabarndawgswatchin and rode a live tow as Bet On Becky drew to equal terms with Western Wish at three-quarters in 1:23.4.
Off the turn, Western Wish dug in against Bet On Becky as the backfield livened into the final eighth. Dabarndawgswatchin came charging to the line quickest of all and maintained command to the finish as Voelz Delight found a seam at the pylons to scoot up to take second. Best Head West weaved through traffic to finish third and Bet On Becky grabbed fourth.
A homebred for Julie Ferguson and Lloyd Stone, Dabarndawgswatchin won her sixth race from 14 starts this season and her ninth from 26 overall, earning $256,004. Dave Menary trains the daughter of Hes Watching who paid $12.80 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.