After a race defeat in last week’s $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap, So Much More returned to the Friday evening feature looking to reclaim her crown in the class.
So Much More, who was sent off as the 4-5 choice, got away sixth in the early going while Snow Shark shot to the top and supplied the field with a :26.3 opening panel. Marloe Hanover sprinted from fifth to first in the backstretch, and she was the leader at the mid-way point in :56.2.
So Much More tipped out to initially track that one’s cover, but eventually lost it and was forced to do the first-over work around the final turn. Marloe Hanover was still in charge of the speed at the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1, but So Much More was just a half length in arrears. So Much More kicked home in :26.4, and that was enough to earn her the neck decision over Marloe Hanover in 1:51. Snow Shark tagged along to grab the show dough.
Trainer Don Beatson co-owns the O’Brien Award winner with Kenn Beatson and Cole England. The partners watched the five-year-old daughter of Big Jim-Ladysai improve her 2021 record to 4-4-0 from nine starts with the win. The 35-time winner has banked $633,367 to date.
The undercard featured a $20,000 Three-Year-Old Trot, and Fashion Frenzie came through as the even-money favourite for the tandem of driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Richard Moreau in a time of 1:55.
Filion got away second before quarter pole-moving to the lead with the son of Archangel-Striking Fashion. Highland Mowgli supplied the :28.2 opening panel, but Fashion Frenzie kicked out middle splits of :58 and 1:27.1 before storming home in :27.4 to hold off Highland Mowgli by a neck. Publicity Seeker rallied late to grab third prize.
Last year’s OSS Super Final champ is owned by Ecurie Francis Richard Inc, Mario Bourgea, Pierre Guillemette and Sylvain Richard. The victory was his first of the season and the sixth of his career. The $10,000 payday lifted his lifetime earnings to $214,775.
Two-year-old pacing colts and geldings made their pari-mutuel debuts in a $15,000 event one race later, and Sports Box overcame a Post 10 start to win in 1:58.2 for driver Scott Young and trainer Paul Reid.
The son of Sportswriter-Dance With Me Tina, who was sent off at 22-1, overcame early interference and dropped into an early three hole while All In Jest shot to the front and supplied the first quarter clocked in :29.4. Twin B Raptor brushed to the top in the backstretch and stole easy middle splits of 1:01 and 1:30.4 before coming under attack from the first-over Sports Box. That rallier used a final quarter clocked in :27 to win by a nose over Twin B Raptor. Hashtag Watch Me was third.
Reid shares ownership on the youngster with Gary Lance and BC Reicheld Stables.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.