A week after scoring from off the pace, Powertrain changed tactics and utilized an aggressive steer en route to his second straight score in the $36,000 Preferred Pace, which highlighted the 11-race Woodbine Mohawk Park card on Saturday, Feb. 1. The evening concluded with Points North becoming the sport's newest millionaire, doing so in style with a score in the night cap.
Leaving from the rail with James MacDonald aboard, Powertrain got away fourth entering the first turn 3-2 favourite Pacino Hanover (Travis Cullen) looped around Poseidon Seelster (Bob McClure) to cut the quarter in :27.3. MacDonald right-lined Powertrain from fourth on the backstretch, quickly grabbing command before leading to the half in :57. Powertrain continued to lead around the final turn with Pacino Hanover bump-drafting the MacDonald helmet to three-quarters in 1:25.4.
Powertrain grabbed a bit of separation turning for home as the sprint was on at the top of the lane. Blitzing home in :26.4, Powertrain steamrolled to victory by 1-3/4 lengths with the plugs still in in over Pacino Hanover to score in 1:52.3. Poseidon Seelster held sway for the third spot, three lengths behind the victor.
The victory was the 15th in the career of Powertrain as he starts his seven-year-old campaign winning two out of three. The homebred son of Shadow Play-Mmillion Blue Chip now sports a career bankroll of $438,945 or trainer Nick Gallucci and owner Millar Farms.
Later on in the card, Points North became Canada's newest millionaire in style, winning in the Saturday night finale while crossing the seven-figure barrier.
With driver Jonathan Drury in tow, Points North wasted little time getting to the lead, crossing over from post six to lead to the quarter in :27.3. Backing things down to the half unchallenged in :57.3, Points North picked up the tempo to three-quarters in 1:26.3. Points North turned for home on top, needing to fend off a late rally by Gentleonmymind (Colin Kelly) to score by a half-length in 1:55.1.
Trained by Carmen Auciello, Points North is now a 47-time winner following the score in his 10-year-old debut. The gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Northwest Hanover was bred by Pinske Stables and John Carver and is owned by Jim and David Winske. Following the victory against $11,000 conditioned company, Points North boasts career earnings of $1,004,278.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)
It's winter!
It's winter!
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