The eight-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding Wheels On Fire ground along the rim and clawed a victory in the $34,000 Preferred Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 18) at Woodbine Mohawk Park to become harness racing’s newest millionaire.
Woodmere Stealdeal motored from the outermost post in the sextet to lead the field past a :28.1 first quarter with favourite Saulsbrook Victor settling into second. Saulsbrook Victor then pulled pocket to take the lead up the backstretch before yielding command to So Much More, who cleared past a :56.4 half. So Much More then faced first-over pressure from Wheels On Fire around the far turn, through three-quarters in 1:24 and all through the stretch. Wheels On Fire bore down on the game mare battling along the pylons and prevailed in the spar by a half length in a 1:50.4 mile. Woodmere Stealdeal rallied to take third and Saulsbrook Victor settled for fourth.
Wheels On Fire, a 46-time winner from 136 starts, dipped into seven-figure territory with $1,009,718 in his bank. Richard Moreau trains the gelding for owner Brad Grant. He paid $6.90 to win.
Earlier on the Saturday card, a horse stumbled to the track during the second race. Tour Champion raced antsy in the pocket to three-quarters and stepped on the wheel of pacesetter Everyones Hero. He then broke stride and backed into Rangers Shadow, who then backed into Smokin Mo. Smokin Mo stumbled on Rangers Shadow's wheel and slipped to the track. Nick Boyd stayed in the sulky and Smokin Mo got onto his feet and emerged okay from the incident.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.