The Victor Puddy-trained Betterthancheddar filly Darlenes Angel made her career debut a winning one in Canada's first pari-mutuel race for two-year-olds this year on Friday evening, June 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driven by Trevor Henry in Mohawk's $16,000 opener for maiden two-year-old pacing fillies, Darlenes Angel got the first call from the inside post, but Wickedpace (Jody Jamieson) was full of pace early as that filly sprinted off the gate from post six to make a brief front-end appearance. Not content with a pocket trip, Henry moved Darlenes Angel back out for the retake midway through the first turn and Darlenes Angel hit the quarter mark in :27.4 as she quickly cleared to command.
Darlenes Angel got a second-quarter breather to half in :58.2 and was prompted through three-quarters in 1:28.3, shaking off first-over Baroness (Sylvain Filion) and then keeping clear of the pocket-popping Wickedpace through the stretch with a :27 kicker to win at first asking in 1:55.3. Wickedpace chased one length behind in second with heavy 2-5 favourite Saddlebags (Louis-Philippe Roy) taking third-place over Baroness 7-1/2 lengths back.
Coming off a successful June 9 qualifier at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Darlenes Angel paid $9.70 to win as the 7-2 second choice in the field of seven.
Bred by Winbak Farm, the bay filly sold for $14,000 at the 2023 London Classic Sale. She is the first foal out of one-time starter Aladywithpower, an Art Major mare. Puddy shares ownership of Darlenes Angel with Michael Marocco of Livonia, Michigan and Lloyd Stone of Portland, Ont.
Trainer/driver Robbie Robinson and Paul Smyth's two-year-old pacing colt Bitcoin Hanover (Stay Hungry-Boldnbrash Hanover) was Canada's first two-year-old winner this year on Sunday, June 9 at Rideau Carleton, besting a field of three-year-olds in 1:58.1.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)