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 steam-rolled 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.
Trained by Nick Gallucci, 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 for 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 cut the corner 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)
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