P L Hurricane stormed down the stretch to pull off a 27-1 upset in this week's action-packed Preferred Pace for fillies and mares on Friday night (May 18) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver Sylvain Filion worked out the winning trip aboard the seven-year-old Jeremes Jet-Taylorlane Action mare in the $30,000 feature for trainer/owner David Brown of Cannington, Ont.
Moving from second-to-last in the outer flow, P L Hurricane kicked home in :26.4 to earn her 27th career victory (second in a row) and push her bankroll over the $500,000 mark.
Favourite Clear Idea (James MacDonald) left from post seven to establish the early lead ahead of Artistic Madison (Jonathan Drury) with Circle The Page (Trevor Henry) breaking stride while chasing her into the first turn. The 3-2 bettors' choice reached the quarter in :27.1 before Circle The Page regrouped and took over command towards the :56.2 midway mark with The Joy Luck Club (Mike Saftic) in pursuit.
The Joy Luck Club cleared to command down the backstretch with Sandbetweenurtoes (Doug McNair) next up to challenge approaching three-quarters in 1:24.4 and then Circle The Page shooting through inside down the stretch. Artistic Madison also closed between rivals to make it onto the scene late. However, a storm was brewing from the backfield and P L Hurricane rolled by to score in 1:52.3 by half a length. Artistic Madison finished second over Circle The Page, who survived a judges' inquiry that determined there she did not violate the breaking rule earlier in the race.
Trainer Patrick Shepherd and owner Carl Kuepfer teamed up to win four of Friday night's races, including the first three in a row with Fern Hill Breeze ($4.20, Louis Philippe Roy), Talbotcreek Suzie ($3.90, Doug McNair) and E R Rhonda ($10.50, McNair). Stirling Boudica ($3.50, McNair) gave the duo a grand slam before being claimed away by Patricia Metivier.
In other action, New York Sires Stakes champion filly Alexis Faith ($8.20), trained by Casie Coleman, won her sophomore debut in 1:52.2 giving McNair a four-win driving night as he begins to close in on the milestone mark of 3,000 wins.
Woodbine Mohawk Park's annual Fireworks and Family Fun Night is set for Saturday night, with a special post time of 6:45 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Park.