Some of the nation's top active pacers tussled in the $36,000 Preferred Pace and the opening leg of the 2025 New Holland Pacing Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, March 15.
A field of six six-figure earners went to the gate in the Preferred Pace with all eyes on Odds On Capitalism as the bettors' choice, and rightfully so as the Rene Bourassa student bested his field of foes.
Louis-Philippe Roy and Odds On Capitalism were the first to clear the lead over Poseidon Seelster (Bob McClure), yielding a :26.3 opening split. Travis Henry pulled Whichwaytothebeach early to a swift backstretch move, achieving the lead just before the :55.1 half. Odds On Capitalism continued in second on the pylons only briefly, pulling out just ahead of Poseidon Seelster.
Odds On Capitalism was the first to nose out the three-quarters in 1:23.4 before the stretch duel formed between himself and Whichwaytothebeach. Odds On Capitalism overpowered to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.3. Merigo Magic (James MacDonald) closed sharply to take second over Whichwaytothebeach.
Odds On Capitalism, a six-year-old Fear The Dragon-Soggy Britches gelding, won his third straight race and third race on Canadian soil with trainer Bourassa at the helm. In 87 career starts, he has banked $398,803 to go along with a record of 21-22-14. Ecuries Maguire Inc. and Daniel Gaudreault co-own Odds On Capitalism. He paid $3.20 to win.
The New Holland Pacing Series opened up with a bang on Saturday evening as millionaire American History posted Canada's first sub-1:50 mile of 2025 in the second division.
The New Holland Pacing Series is open to non-winners of $150,000 (fillies and mares $175,000) in 2024.
Jack Panic (Jonathan Drury) hustled early to the lead off the car with American History and Louis-Philippe Roy brushing up from behind swiftly. American History took over into the opening turn and handled the quarter in :27.2 as Jabberwocky (Trevor Henry) rushed to take over right after quarter pole. Jabberwocky led the field single file through the half in :55.1. Just before the 1:23 three-quarters, American History edged out to challenge the leader. The pair met eye-to-eye and wheel-to-wheel at the top of the stretch, but American History pressed forward to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:49.3. Jack Panic finished second with Powertrain (James MacDonald) nabbing the show spot over Jabberwocky.
American History, a winner of now $1,899,370 in his career, won his first race of 2025 and his 49th lifetime race. Patrick Hill of Fredericton, N.B. owns the 10-year-old son of American Ideal out of the Camluck mare Perfect Touch. He returned $4.60 to win.
Despite his outside post, Brue Hanover collected a win in the first division of the New Holland Pacing Series for the evening.
Doug McNair urged the David Menary student from post seven on a diagonal towards the top. The pair cleared early, but a three-wide early tussle led to stablemate Whatchulookin At (Louis-Philippe Roy) being parked out in first at the :26.4 quarter. Brue Hanover swiftly moved ahead of his stablemate to reclaim the lead and the Menary student never looked back, controlling the timer in :55 and 1:23.2 before opening up by 5-1/4 lengths and stopping the clock in 1:50. Whatchulookin At finished second and Codename Cigar Box (Travis Cullen) finished third.
Burke Racing Stable LLC of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania and Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania co-own the five-year-old gelded son of Stay Hungry out of the Art Major mare Blind Ambition. Brue Hanover won his third race in five starts this year and his 21st race from 70 career starts. He shows $384,045 earned lifetime.
The second leg of the New Holland Pacing Series will be held on Saturday, March 22, while the second leg of the New Holland Trotting Series will take place on Monday, March 17.
Saturday's card also had the first leg of the Pop-Up Series for horse and gelding pacers that are non-winners of $30,000 in 2024 with a minimum of 15 starts or not averaging $1,700 per start in 2024 with a minimum of 15 starts. The series opener featured four $16,000 divisions.
In the first division, Elliot Moose ($10.70) paced from the back of the pack to the front in a 1-1/2-length victory in 1:52.4 with Travis Cullen holding the lines for Jodie Cullen. Batterup Hanover ($3.10) took the second division with a pocket trip to a 1:52 score with Bob McClure in the bike for Ben Hollingsworth. The third division went to Hurrikane Cheyenne ($4.10) in 1:52.4 for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Amanda Fine. Finally, Highlandbeachlover ($5.40) and Tyler Borth won the fourth division in 1:50 for trainer Carmen Auciello.
The second leg of the Pop-Up Series is set for Saturday, March 22, with each division going for $16,000, while the $35,000 final will take place on Saturday, March 29.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)