The betting public was all over Stonebridge Strong in Thursday’s opening round of the Wine & Roses Trotting Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and the Paul Megens pupil didn’t let her backers down.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite in the lone division of the event for female trotters, Stonebridge Strong survived and first-over journey and drew clear to win impressively under the guidance of driver Chris Christoforou.
The four-year-old daughter of Muscle Mass-OK To Play got away sixth in the early going while BCs Rose marched to the front and laid down tepid fractions of :28.4, 1:02.4 and 1:35 over the snow-covered oval. Christoforou started his first-over advance with the favourite on the way to the half, and by the time the three-quarter pole rolled around it was Stonebridge Strong who was knocking on the door while racing just three-quarters of a length behind the tempo-setter.
Christoforou pressed the pedal in the lane with Stonebridge Strong and she responded by kicking out a :28.2 closing quarter with the wind at her back. She drew clear to win by 2-1/2 lengths over BCs Rose in 2:03.3. Sewin Sue rallied from far back to finish third.
Saltwater Stable of Moffat, ON owns the four-time winner who lifted her lifetime earnings to $83,774 with the score. It was her first win of the season from three attempts.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.