The Miss Versatility series for older trotting mares begins on Monday evening (May 21) at Woodbine Mohawk Park as the eighth race. The first leg drew a field of nine racing for a purse of $50,000.
Making her seasonal debut is Emoticon Hanover, who had a remarkable season in 2017 while winning the Miss Versatility final, the Breeders Crown, and the Joie De Vie in world-record time of 1:50.2 for owner Serge Godin's Determination Stable and trainer Luc Blais. She's had three conditioning qualifiers, the most recent a 1:56.1 win over the Campbellville oval. James MacDonald will drive the career winner of over $1.25 million from post position 7 on Monday.
The main rival in Monday's race is a familiar one in the venerable Caprice Hill (post 2, Doug McNair). The two mares battled on several occasions last year; in fact Caprice Hill was at the flank of Emoticon Hanover while beaten less than a length in the Breeders Crown. She has earned nearly $1.5 million in her career for owner Tom Hill while residing in the Tony Alagna barn.
The field for the first Miss Versatility leg (with drivers and morning line odds) is as follows:
1. Highland Top Hill (Chris Christoforou, 8-1)
2. Caprice Hill (Doug McNair, 3-1)
3. Dream Together (Bob McClure, 5-2)
4. Pink Pistol (Paul MacDonell, 15-1)
5. Its Hallright (Sylvain Filion, 10-1)
6. P L Jill (Louis-Philippe Roy, 5-1)
7. Emoticon Hanover (James MacDonald, 9-2)
8. Southwind Tesla (Phil Hudon, 6-1)
9. The Erm (Trevor Henry, 15-1)
To view Monday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Monday Entries – Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Meadowlands)