Sitting a pocket trip, Kat sprung to the lead and kicked clear of her rivals to win the second $15,000 division for the opening preliminary of another Pop-Up Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday (Feb. 11).
Kat cruised to the top from post six with Saulsbrook Flashy floating into second heading to the opening quarter in :28.4. Saulsbrook Flashy soon circled out of second to the lead up the backside, pocketing Kat towards a :57.4 half and continuing unchallenged to three-quarters in 1:27.2. Holding a 2-1/4-length lead coming off the corner, Saulsbrook Flashy quickly faced pressure from Kat as driver James MacDonald launched the five-year-old Hes Watching mare out of second and soared to the lead. She expanded her advantage through the lane to hit the finish four lengths better than Saulsbrook Flashy in a 1:56.1 mile while Dilly Taryn closed for third and Whistys Paradise settled for fourth.
Trained by James Dean for owners Wilma and James MacKenzie, Kat won her fourth race from 67 starts, lifting her earnings $196,533. She paid $3 to win.
Racing opened at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday with the first division of the Pop-Up Series, which Naughty Lady B took going pole to pole in 1:59.
Sent the odds-on favourite, driver Trevor Henry hustled the 10-year-old No Pan Intended mare to the point with JMR Mach Mel securing the pocket to a :29 first quarter. Naughty Lady B strolled on top to a 1:00 half before facing a first-over challenge from Sunny Sicily, who ranged to the leader's wheel coming to three-quarters in 1:30.3. Sunny Sicily started a retreat heading for home while JMR Mach Mel had room to take her shot at Naughty Lady B. She matched strides with the pacesetter through the straightaway, but Naughty Lady B held firm on the lead to finish a neck better while the pair were four lengths clear of Amasa Arion in third. Sunny Sicily took fourth.
Co-owned by breeder Stuart Bolender with Patricia Bolender, Naughty Lady B won her 18th race from 187 starts, lifting her earnings to $278,096. Kyle Bossence conditions the $3.90 winner.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.