The betting public liked what it saw last week when Beyond Better broke his maiden at first asking for trainer Bob McIntosh, and it was more of the same in Thursday’s second kick at the can for the homebred.
Beyond Better, who was sent off as the 1-2 favourite in the $16,000 conditioned event, got away third for driver Trevor Henry while Heart On My Sleeve and Big Journey battled to the quarter pole in :27. Big Journey worked his way to the top and proceeded to carve out the half-mile clocking of :57.1 before Beyond Better took matters into his own hands.
Henry fed the son of Bettors Delight-Somethinincredible racetrack in the backstretch, and in a matter of strides the gelding found himself on top. He paced a third quarter in :29.1 to take the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.2 and then used a 28-second final frame to win by a length over Whitecookie in 1:54.2. Riot shot up the inside and rallied to be third.
Trainer Bob McIntosh’s Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. shares ownership on the youngster with C S X Stables and Dave Boyle. The lightly-raced pacer is one of 77 sophomores that were nominated to the 2020 Pepsi North America Cup.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.