Returning to Mohawk Racetrack's Fillies & Mares Preferred ranks after a stateside stakes trip, Sandbetweenurtoes ($3.90) was victorious once again in the class she dominated last month.
Sandbetweenurtoes has been a major player in the Mares Preferred on the WEG Circuit throughout the winter and most recently went three-for-three during the month of April. In her Mohawk return following a sixth-place finish in a record Chip Noble Memorial at Miami Valley Raceway last week, she was sent postward as the 4-5 favourite in the $30,000 Friday (May 19) feature and did not disappoint her backers.
Sandbetweenurtoes and driver Doug McNair looped the quick-leaving P L Hurricane (Randy Waples), who led through a :26.3 first quarter, and reached the half in :55.3 then three-quarters in 1:23.1. She held clear of her rivals down the stretch to score a 1:51.1 victory by one and a half lengths. P L Hurricane followed in second, with Waasmula (Trevor Henry) tipping out from third to secure the top-three finish.
Richard Moreau trains Sandbetweenurtoes, who has won half of her 14 seasonal starts and is the top money-earning distaffer this year in Canada so far with an income of $133,100.
The six-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Als Girl mare earned her 28th career win on Friday and went over the $900,000 earnings plateau for owner Brad Grant of Milton, Ont.
Earlier on the card, the streaking sophomore filly The Joy Luck Club ($2.70) lowered her lifetime mark to 1:52.2 with a dominant performance in an $18,000 female pace for non-winners of three races or $52,000 lifetime. McNair also drove that Camluck-Oh The Joy filly, who earned her sixth straight victory for trainer Mark Horner and co-owner R A W Equine Inc.
Sent off at odds of 1-5, The Joy Luck Club forged three-wide to take the lead through a :27.3 first quarter and carved out middle splits of :56.4 and 1:25.1 before McNair pulled the plugs and she drew off by five lengths. American Sara (Sylvain Filion) closed from the backfield to place ahead of pocket-sitter Sandy Win (Louis-Philippe Roy).
Following 10 unsuccessful starts as a freshman, The Joy Luck Club has reeled off nine wins from 12 starts this year to push her earnings to $61,902.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.