A number of talented performers peppered the entries for the Friday (April 21) qualifying program at Woodbine Mohawk Park, showing their success from the 2022 harness racing season is a sign of things to come in 2023.
Dowedealinandwhy was a two-time Ontario Sires Stakes Gold winner at two, and the sophomore appears poised to repeat that in that stakes series as a sophomore. Sylvain Filion once again guided the Kyle Fellows trainee in his second appearance of the year, and the trotter has crossed the wire first in both of his 2023 tests.
After crossing over from post nine to hit the opening quarter in :28.4, Dowedealinandwhy slowed to a :59 half and then repelled a bid from Oh Look Magic (Matt Bax) through a 1:27.2 third station. Trotting home in :27.3, Dowedealinandwhy hit the wire in a lifetime best 1:55 more than a length better than Passarino (Jody Jamieson) and Oh Look Magic.
Dowedealinandwhy is owned by Yolanda Fellows of Rockwood and Irene Carey of Belgrave, Ont. The gelded son of Wheeling N Dealin - Gaelic Princess posted a 3-1-0 summary from seven freshman starts for earnings of $138,069.
Best in the Battle of the Belles last year, Big Big Plans made her second appearance of the season during the Friday session and looks to be a factor in the OSS once again as a three-year-old.
Driver James MacDonald settled the Bob McIntosh pupil into second behind Glenboro (Travis Cullen) through a :29 second opener and then vacated the pocket heading to the half. Looping to the lead, Big Big Plans paced through panels of :59 and 1:27 before a :27.2 closer to hit the wire in 1:54.3 and hold off Glenboro by 1-1/2 lengths.
McIntosh co-owns Big Big Plans (All Bets Off - Somethinincredible) with Mardon Stables of Loretto and Dave Boyle of Bowmanville, Ont. The filly banked $261,773 as a rookie, posting a 4-1-3 summary from 11 outings.
The fastest qualifier of the morning came from that one's divisional rival, Savethelastdance.
Also guided by MacDonald, the full-sister to O'Brien Award winner Silver Label enjoyed a pocket ride behind Academy Seelster through initial fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:26.2. A right-line request from MacDonald was willingly accepted, and the pacing filly powered home in :27.1 for the 1:53.4 decision. Windsun Tiara (Trevor Henry) was two-plus lengths in arrears to close for second.
A homebred of two-time Armstrong Breeder of the Year Millar Farms, Savethelastdance (Bettors Delight - Hidden Gem) is trained by Nick Gallucci. The filly comes into her sophomore season with four wins from eight rookie appearances and $163,887 in the bank.
One of the 2022 O'Brien Award finalists, Warrawee Xenia made her four-year-old debut during the Friday session and she did so impressively.
Last seen in action stateside winning the Matron Stakes, Warrawee Xenia returned to the guidance of Bob McClure on Friday and the tandem definitely enjoyed each other's company. Warrawee Xenia sat patiently in third as Halo Its Heaven (Scott Young) carved out panels of :29, :58.4 and 1:29.1. McClure gave Warrawee Xenia her cue in the stretch and she showed that signature late kick to trot away from her qualifying rivals and score in 1:56.4. Stay Close (James MacDonald) tried to live up to her name but missed that mark by about 2-1/2 lengths to finish second.
Warrawee Xenia (Walner - Endless Flirt) is trained by Shawn Steacy for owners Mark Steacy of Lansdowne, Ont., David McDonald of Cornwall, Ont., Dale Larson of Kent City, Mich. and Diane Bertrand of Lake Country, B.C. The 10-time winner took her 1:52.2 mark at The Meadowlands last year and enters her older career with $231,478 in career earnings.
The full video stream from the qualifying session is available below.
For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).