Overflowing qualifying sessions have been the norm since racing's return from its COVID-19 shutdown. Given that, Woodbine Mohawk Park's Tuesday (June 30) docket of qualifiers was relatively light, as a total of 31 Standardbreds recorded charted miles over the Campbellville, Ont. course. The program did not feature the industry's superstars, but one particular mare made sure she shined the brightest during the morning miles.
The mare in question, Seaswift Joy N, surely caught the attention of horseplayers in 2019, as she raced to a 10-5-2 seasonal resume from 25 starts after having been imported from New Zealand. The daughter of Bettors Delight knocked heads with some of the industry's top pacing mares last season, and banked just over $294,000 for owner Brad Grant.
After a pair of recent off-the-board finishes in filly and mare preferreds at Mohawk, the seven-year-old bay was raring to go Tuesday morning for trainer Tony Alagna and driver Doug McNair.
(Please note that Seaswift Joy N's race starts at roughly the 56:45 mark.)
Seaswift Joy N lined up in Post 5 for the session's fifth race and opted for a reserved approch in the early stages. McNair settled his charge away fourth early on and waited past the :28.4 quarter pole to make his move.
When McNair asked Seaswift Joy N for some 'go,' the mare obliged in full. The duo erased a six and three-quarter-length deficit in the second frame and were first down to the half-mile station in :58.1. Seaswift Joy N's lead was two and three-quarter lengths at the half, and that was the closest her rivals would get to her from there on out.
Seaswift Joy N went on to pace Mohawk's final turn with ease, as she utilized a :27.1 third panel to freeze the three-quarters clock in 1:25.2. The mare's lead was 11 and a half lengths at that point, and she had no intention of letting her foes get much closer.
McNair and Seaswift Joy N capped off their mile with another :27.1 quarter, as they were under the wire first in 1:52.3. The mare's margin of victory was 11 lengths.
Although the morning action did not feature the absolute starts of the racing industry, multiple Standardbreds recorded some solid miles during the session, as Night Stick (1:54.2), Cute Accountant (1:58.1), Bettor In Cash (1:55.4), U Need Stones (1:58), and Halliday Dream (1:59.3) also tallied qualifying wins for their connections.
To view the harness racing results from the Tuesday qualifying session at Mohawk, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).