A 2024 O’Brien Award finalist, Amigo Volo showed exactly why he earned that distinction, cruising to an easy victory in the $36,000 Preferred Trot and giving four-time defending Driver of the Year James MacDonald his fifth win of the night on Monday, April 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Quebec Hanover (Scott Young) left alertly to take the lead early, with the 3-5 favourite Amigo Volo settling into the pocket through a :28.2 opening quarter. Down the backstretch, Amigo Volo took command and hit the half in :57.1. Perfetto (Doug McNair) mounted a first-over bid as they approached three-quarters in 1:26, but Amigo Volo held firm with a length advantage around the final turn. In the stretch, the veteran trotter powered away to win in 1:55.1 by 4-1/4 lengths. Quebec Hanover stayed along the pylons for second, while Perfetto held third.
An eight-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick out of Margarita Momma, Amigo Volo is trained by Meg Crone and co-owned by Pinske Stables and David J. Miller. The win was his second of the 2025 season from six starts, boosting his seasonal earnings to $62,640 and bringing his career totals to 45 victories and $2,748,894 in earnings, further solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s elite trotters.
MacDonald’s big night also included wins with Top Mast ($2.50, 1:56.2) for trainer Desiree Jones, Heave Away ($4.40, 1:55) for Amanda Riley, Deliciousstone DK ($5.70,1:58) for Dominic Gladu and Cold Snaps ($23.40, 1:58.1) for Blake MacIntosh.
With Monday’s haul, MacDonald has further extended his lead atop the Woodbine Mohawk Park driver standings, now sitting at 88 wins and $1,215,445 in earnings for the season. He also leads the nation in earnings and has moved into third place nationally in wins.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)