So Much More and driver James MacDonald flipped the script this week to capture Friday’s $32,000 Mares Preferred on Friday night (June 12) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A field of eight older pacing mares clashed in the feature race with all eyes on last week’s dominant winner Boadicea, who was sent off as the 1-5 favourite.
Boadicea got front-end respect after surging out to the lead, posting fractions of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:23.3. So Much More, who sprinted home in :25.4 last week to finish second with broken equipment, started a first-up bid from fifth this time racing into the far turn.
In the stretch, Boadicea couldn’t repeat last week’s performance when trying to kick clear. So Much More continued to grind away and powered by late for the 1:50.4 victory. Kendall Seelster came through for a runner-up finish, while Boadicea settled for third. Sylph Hanover was fourth.
"She just surprises me every time she races," said MacDonald, noting the impressive mile time in the fall-like, cool and breezy weather conditions. "Boadicea is just such a good mare, I just hoped to get close to her. I was hoping I could work out a trip where I could give a run and get a good race down the lane. She overcame a bad trip and she's just all guts -- like you need more, she gives you more every time. She's just a really nice mare."
Don Beatson trains and co-owns the four-year-old Big Jim-Ladysai mare with partners Kenneth Beatson and Cole England.
So Much More has been putting together a strong 2020 campaign and now holds a record of five wins among eight top-three finishes in 11 starts this season. Friday’s victory pushes her bankroll over $100,000 for the season.
She is now a 24-time winner in her career with $353,730 in earnings.
A $2 win ticket on So Much More returned $9.20.
MacDonald’s victory with So Much More gave him three for the evening and eight overall this week at Mohawk Park. The former World Driving champion noted that momentum is a big factor in success.
“Any driver will say the same thing: when you’re hot, you’re hot and when you’re cold, you are ice cold.”
Among his Friday night scores, MacDonald partnered with repeat winner Saskatoon for
Carmen Auciello, who enjoyed a training triple on the card. Auciello's other wins were courtesy of Sombre and Better Be Donna N, both driven by Jonathan Drury.
Live racing continues Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)