Two $18,000 Valedictory Pacing Series divisions for sophomore colts and geldings were contested on Saturday (Dec. 9) evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park and the 1:52.1 mile by Saulsbrook Ian pushed James MacDonald towards a career and historic milestone.
Saulsbrook Ian got away fourth off the car and maintained position through the opening panel in :27.2 before moving to take command of the field. He set two more panels in :56.2 and 1:24.4, then went on to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.1. Come On Artie (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished second with Leave It To Luther (Trevor Henry) third.
Saulsbrook Ian (Betterthancheddar-Atlanta Girl) is a three-year-old career earner of $58,071. His seasonal stats moved to 11 wins from 16 starts. Kyle Fellows trains Saulsbrook Ian for Red Oak Stables. He paid $3.20 to win.
MacDonald, Canada’s leading driver in wins and earnings, surpassed $10 million in seasonal earnings on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
MacDonald became the first Canadian-based driver since Jody Jamieson in 2011 to drive the winners of $10 million in a single season. He nearly reached the mark in 2022, finishing at $9.9 million.
The significant milestone was within reach for MacDonald entering Saturday’s card, as he sat just over $10,000 away from $10 million. After winning the evening’s first race with Saulsbrook Ian in a Valedictory Series division, MacDonald picked up cheques in two of his next three drives to go over $10 million.
MacDonald currently leads Woodbine Mohawk Park and the nation in wins and earnings for 2023. The Guelph, Ont. resident has won 405 races in Canada this season, 15 more than nearest rival Tyler Borth.
MacDonald is a strong contender to win his third consecutive Keith Waples Driver of the Year Award at the 2023 O’Brien Awards. At the end of the month, MacDonald will secure his third consecutive Woodbine Mohawk Park driving title.
Following Saturday’s racing, MacDonald sits at 2023 season totals of 407 wins and $10,004,950 earned.
In the second division, Wry and driver Doug McNair led through every panel in :27.2, :57.4 and 1:26.4 before fending off a speedy surge from Speaker Of Peace (Bob McClure) and Mufferaw Joe (Sylvain Filion) to win by a nose in 1:53.1. Speaker Of Peace finished second while Mufferaw Joe took the show spot.
Wry (Artspeak-Hobe Sound) is owned by trainer Chris Matthews, Jeff Bryan and Gary Lyons. After making just one start as a two-year-old, he recorded his second career win in 22 races to push his earnings to $52,240. Wry paid $5.60 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Woodbine)