Fashion Frenzie returned sharp from a 14-week absence with a tempo-setting victory in the $30,000 conditioned feature trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Sunday, June 14.
Louis-Philippe Roy directed the two-time Ontario Sires Stakes champion to the top from post five, pocketing favoured P L Spencer (Bob McClure) in a :27.1 first quarter. Fashion Frenzie kept control through :55.4 and 1:24.2 fractions, coming under assault only when Distance Learning (Travis Henry) left the three-hole at three-quarters. Distance Learning grinded away at the leader through the stretch, keeping P L Spencer pinned at the pylons into the final eighth of a mile. The pocket-sitter slipped through in deep-stretch, but he was too late and Distance Learning fell short by a neck as Fashion Frenzie scored in 1:52.2. Distance Learning was second, with P L Spencer third.
Fashion Frenzie tabbed the first win of his eight-year-old campaign in two starts for owners Ecurie Francis Richard Inc. of Becancour, Que., Gestion Mario Bourgea Inc. of Stanbridge-East, Que. and Pierre Guillemette and Sylvain Richard of Becancour, Que. The Archangel-Striking Fashion gelding, in his first start for trainer Kyle Fellows, won for the 33rd time in 78 career appearances and bumped his earnings up to $1,474,307. He paid $6.80 to win.
Trainer Paul Reid hit $10 million in career earnings as Faith Step secured a $5,500 second-place cheque in the fourth race. Scott Young angled her onto the cover of R Peaky Blinders (Tyler Borth) from fourth entering the last turn, and while R Peaky Blinders dashed clear to a convincing victory, Faith Step rallied from fifth at the top of the stretch for place.
Reid, who recorded his first training win in 1998, has amassed $10,000,468 in earnings and 441 wins from 3,535 career starts. A perennial presence in the Ontario Sires Stakes program, Reid's current flock includes Flowing Tribute, a winner of four Golds last year who finished second in the first leg on May 24. The DeLeon Springs, Fla.-based trainer went 22-for-129 last year with $660,708 in earnings.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)