Sent the 7-5 favourite, Traceur Hanover brushed to the lead past the half and held off a late challenge from Physicallyinclined to take the $34,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, March 30. The card also featured a mandatory payout for the Jackpot Hi-5, which handled a record $2.8 million.
Physicallyinclined cleared command from Cinnabar Dragon past a :26.4 opening quarter while Traceur Hanover sat third. Driver Chris Christoforou tipped the Benoit Baillargeon trainee off the rail moving to a :55.4 half and swept to the lead entering the far turn. East End tracked the favourite's first-over swoop but continued uncovered towards three-quarters.
Leading past the third panel in 1:24.3, Traceur Hanover held a length-and-a-half lead over East End into the stretch. Physicallyinclined rallied off a rail trip in the late stages of the mile to come within a length of victory in the 1:53.3 mile, settling for second. Fancourt, from second over, took third.
Owned by Richard Berthiaume, Traceur Hanover won his fourth race from nine starts this season and his 30th from 119 overall, earning $888,749. The seven-year-old stallion by Western Ideal paid $4.60 to win.
Trainer Richard Moreau tripled on the program. He sent Revenue Agent ($4.90) to a 1:58 victory in the $12,000 opening race and later won with On The Sly ($11.80) in a $15,000 conditioned trot and Stolen Art ($3.20) in a $18,000 conditioned pace.
The Jackpot Hi-5 had a carryover of $525,140 entering the mandatory payout and horseplayers came out in full force to take their shot.
A total of $2,818,293 of new money was wagered on the Hi-5.
Horseplayers that correctly selected the top-five finishers scored a return of $2,458.36 for a $0.20 ticket. The top-five order was 3/1/12/5/11.
The total handle for Saturday’s card at Woodbine Mohawk Park was $4,444,231.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(with files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)