Three-year-old pacing filly So Much More turned in a gutsy first-over effort to defeat the Preferred distaffers in Friday's feature at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Double A Mint got the first call in the Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap with the favoured Kendall Seelster pressing on from the outside and taking over command into the first turn. After a 27-second opener, she stole a second quarter breather to the half in :56.4 while the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots champion So Much More moved underway from backfield in rein to James MacDonald.
Kendall Seelster passed three-quarters in 1:25.2 and turned for home with So Much More closing in on her target. With the wire approaching, the sophomore filly surged by late to steal the spotlight in 1:51.3. Kendall Seelster had to settle for second while Double A Mint followed in third.
So Much More paid $8.20 to win as the 3-1 second choice following a winning performance last week in a conditioned event.
Tonight's victory was her 15th of the year from 25 starts and first at the Preferred level while the lion's share of the $30,000 purse put her seasonal stash at $227,347.
Trainer Don Beatson co-owns the Big Jim filly with Kenneth Beatson of Palgrave, Ont., and Cole England of Exeter, Ont.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.