The summer weather has helped many horses produced new lifetime marks, and that was the case for O’Brien Award winner Run Director who rallied to a 1:51.2 score in Monday’s $34,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Hemi Seelster rocketed to the early lead and he had the field chasing him through fractions of :27, :55.1 and 1:22.4. Run Director got away in mid-pack for driver Sylvain Filion before making a first-over bid past the half. Hemi Seelster enjoyed a big lead at the three-quarter pole, but Run Director was gaining quickly.
As the field turned into the lane Hemi Seelster still held the lead, but he was starting to bear out badly. That left the inner half of the track wide-open, and Run Director took full advantage of the opportunity to gain ground. He used a :28 kicker to win by three-quarters of a length over O Narutac Perfetto. Hemi Seelster faded to finish third.
Ben Baillargeon trains the homebred for Tom and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catherines, Ont. The four-year-old son of Kadabra-Keep The Spirit is now 2-for-4 this season after going 6-for-17 last year. The eight-time winner has banked close to $470,000 in his career.
The fastest trotting mile of the evening came from Baillargeon trainee Royal Witch in the $22,000 fourth-race.
A five-year-old mare, Royal Witch and driver Trevor Henry stormed out to the lead and never looked back to win in a career-best 1:51, equalling Canada’s third-fastest trotting mile ever by a mare.
The daughter of Kadabra posted fractions of :27.1, :55.1 and 1:22.4 to lead by just over four-lengths turning for home. A :28.1 final quarter completed the lifetime best mile for a victory of 2-1/4 lengths.
Royal Witch is also owned by Tom and Elizabeth Rankin and now has two wins in five starts this season to bring her career numbers to 13 wins and $252,863 earned.
The clocking of 1:51 would’ve matched the track record a month ago, but that mark has recently been broken twice by Hannelore Hanover (1:50.3) and most recently Atlanta (1:50.2).
Royal Witch paid $6.70 to win.
Four-year-old Treasured Tee set the tone for the evening by trotting to a career-best 1:51.3 victory in the $20,000 first-race.
The John Cecchin-trained son of Yankee Glide was also driven by Henry, who owns the trotter, and rallied from fourth at three-quarters to win by three-quarters of a length over four-year-old mare Kadabra Queen.
Treasured Tee had just one win in seven starts this season entering Monday and now sports career numbers of seven-wins and $110,596 earned. He paid $21.80 to win.
Live racing continues Tuesday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.