Stretch contact by $48,000 Free For All first-place finisher Momas Son Byrne to Nautical Hanover prompted stewards to make a change to the finish which placed Nautical Hanover as the winner of the undercard feature at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night (June 3).
Momas Son Byrne carved fractions of :26.3, :55.2 and 1:23 with Nautical Hanover in tow from the pocket. Driver James MacDonald angled Nautical Hanover from second in the sprint for home and endured Momas Son Byrne as he bore out and into the path of the four-year-old Captaintreacherous stallion. Momas Son Byrne managed to keep a nose in front in 1:49.4, but his contact in the stretch was deemed impactful on the result by the judges and resulted in his disqualification from first to second. Nautical Hanover became the winner of the feature with Wheels On Fire back in third and Warrawee Vital fourth.
Benoit Baillargeon trains Nautical Hanover for owner Richard Berthiaume. The stallion won his 11th race from 44 starts and has now banked $384,917. He paid $9.30 to win.
The card Saturday opened with a speed show from Nick Gallucci pupil and Millar Farms homebred Silver Label, who took the $32,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace in 1:51.
Driver Doug McNair hustled the four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight to the lead heading to a :26.2 first quarter and ensured she kept the lead from a pressing Need To Breathe into the backside. Silver Label chugged along to a :55.4 half and through three-quarters in 1:24.1 to then scoot away to a 1-1/4-length win over parked Dabarndawgswatchin. Parisian Blue Chip rallied for third and Intothemysticmoon finished fourth.
Silver Label won her 16th race from 28 starts and has now earned $928,989. She paid $3.50 to win.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.