After following tumultuous fractions in the feature last week, Saulsbrook Victor opted to sit last in the $42,000 Free For All Pace on Saturday (March 4) at Woodbine Mohawk Park and stormed over the top to snag a narrow win.
Woodmere Stealdeal took the lead to a :27.2 first quarter before 6-5 favourite Wheels On Fire circled from the pocket and to the lead well before a :56.1 half. Wheels On Fire then quickened the tempo around the final turn as American History rolled first over along with rim with So Much More gapping cover second over to three-quarters in 1:23.
But Wheels On Fire did not accelerate off the corner and faced stiff challenges stacking outside of him all through the lane. So Much More kicked off cover and began rallying while driver Austin Sorrie sent Saulsbrook Victor to the center of the track and gradually gathered his momentum, uncorking a :26.1 final quarter to slide a head in front of So Much More at the end of a 1:50.3 mile. Wheels On Fire battled to the pylons to hold third with Woodmere Stealdeal fourth.
Ronald MacDonald trains Saulsbrook Victor, a five-year-old gelding by Source Of Pride, for owners Brett MacDonald and Brent MacLennan. The gelding won his 14th race from 53 starts, has now earned $282,865 and paid $6 to win.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.