Emoticon Hanover scored a comfortable 1:54 victory in Monday evening’s $52,800 opening leg of the Miss Versatility Series for trotting mares at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The two-time Breeders Crown champion and driver Daniel Dube got away second in a compact field of five and made a second-quarter circle to the lead from the two-hole. The Luc Blais trainee proceeded to post a :28.4 third-quarter followed by a :27.4 final-quarter to secure the win by 2-1/4 lengths over early-leader The Erm.
Emoticon Hanover’s stablemate Dream Together finished third. Pat Matters and Sorceress Seelster rounded out the field, with both making breaks early in the mile.
A daughter of Kadabra, Emoticon Hanover picked up her 24th career victory Monday to bring her season record to two for two. The six-year-old is looking to duplicate or surpass last year’s totals of six wins and $397,208 earned in 15 starts.
Monday’s victory pushes Emoticon Hanover over $1.7 million in career earnings. She paid $2.50 to win.
The next leg of the Miss Versatility will take place on July 13 at The Meadowlands. The series features four preliminary legs followed by the final at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Little Brown Jug day.
Musical Rhythm extended his winning streak to four-in-a-row for Team Baillargeon thanks to his front-stepping score in the $34,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters.
Assigned the outside post in the seven-horse affair, Musical Rhythm shot to the front for driver Mario Baillargeon, and they led the field through fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.1 before kicking home in :27.3 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over stablemate P L Jill in 1:54.4. Third prize went to Free Willy Hanover.
Trainer Ben Baillargeon co-owns the 34-time winner with Claude Hamel and the Venas – Nunzio and Santo. The seven-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Musical Victory pushed his lifetime earnings over $800,000 with the win.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbin Mohawk Park.