The father-son team of Gregg and Doug McNair was the star of the show on Monday’s abbreviated Boxing Day card at Woodbine Racetrack.
Mild temperatures and consistent rain took a toll on the racing surface throughout the card, which forced officials to cancel the final three races due to unsafe track conditions. However, the $35,400 Valedictory and $33,400 Niagara Series finals were both contested before the cancellation.
Senior K delivered a gritty effort to win the Valedictory final for Team McNair. The three-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight shot off cover in the stretch and paced through the sloppy conditions to score a narrow victory by a head over Awesomeness in 1:54.3.
Owned by Keith Waples, Senior K now has three wins in 13 starts this season and increased his 2016 earnings to $50,650 with the Valedictory score. He paid $13.80 to win.
Senior K’s Valedictory victory added to a big day for the McNairs. Gregg McNair sent out three horses on the card and all three visited the winner’s circle, while Doug McNair recorded a driving grand slam by capturing four of the nine races contested.
The Niagara Series final for three-year-old pacing fillies saw Jimbelina complete a sweep of the series by scoring a four-length victory in Monday’s $33,400 final.
The Rene Bourassa trainee was fired out of the 10-hole and directly to the front by driver Sylvain Filion. It was lights out from there, as Jimbelina scooted around the sloppy oval for an easy 1:57 victory.
Owned by Roland Trudel, Jimbelina is now a 10-time winner this season following her Niagara victory. The Big Jim filly improved her record to 10 wins in 19 starts and her seasonal earnings to $70,580 with Monday’s score. Jimbelina paid $3.30 to win.
Three-year-olds that were non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2016 were eligible for nomination to the Valedictory and Niagara Series.
Monday’s Boxing Day card was the final card of live racing at Woodbine for 2016. Live racing resumes Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)