Odds-on choice Sintra scored a narrow repeat victory with a swift stretch rally in the $34,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (March 27).
Away fifth in the sextet to a :27.2 opening quarter, driver Jody Jamieson kept Sintra at the pylons while Wheels On Fire slowed the tempo to a :57.1 half. Jamieson then caught cover for Sintra when Points North angled first over, making slight gains as Wheels On Fire accelerated to three-quarters in 1:25.4. The swift pacesetter hit another gear straightening for the finish, however Sintra sprinted off the bend with a :25.3 final quarter to nab victory by a neck in a 1:52 mile. Points North finished third.
Owned by Michael Guerriero, Kelly Waxman, Nunzio Vena and Frank Cirillo, Sintra won his 35th race from 81 starts, earning $1,400,467. Anthony Beaton trains the eight-year-old Mach Three gelding who paid $2.40 to win.
Of the $3,184,291 wagered on the 11-race card, $984,145 was "new money" in the Jackpot Hi-5 in the evening's finale. The 7-5-4-1-3 combination, which was keyed by 2-1 favourite Evenwood Sonofagun (Bob McClure, 1:51.3) and included three horses longer than 20-1, returned $6,394.61 on each correct 20-cent ticket.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.