Doug McNair worked out a ground-saving trip for Swinging Beauty in Tuesday’s $60,000 final of the Town Pro Stakes, and when the filly found clearance in the lane she exploded away from rivals
to win in a career-best clocking of 1:52.
Swinging Beauty sprinted into the two-hole and followed From The Start to the quarter pole in :27.3. They were still the top two going into the backstretch, but things quickly changed. Race favourite Rockratese tipped out of the four-hole and marched to the lead just before the half-mile clocking flashed up in :56.2. She continued to lead the way to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3, but she lacked staying power when called on for more speed. Swinging Beauty angled into the three path as the field swung into the stretch and she uncorked a :26.4 final panel which was good enough to earn her the 1:52 decision. It was 4-3/4 lengths back to runner-up From The Start, with Rockratese settling for third prize.
"She races much better out of a hole," driver Doug McNair said following the victory. "I was going to put her on the lead, but I wasn't sure if Jody (Jamieson) was coming, so I didn't want to risk it. It ended up he did so I stayed in because I thought I was following the two best horses.
"I was pretty sure I was going to get out," he added. "The horse on the outside of me was tiring and once I angled her off the rail, she just exploded like I thought she would."
Gregg McNair trains the three-year-old Art Major-Stunning Beauty miss for Clarence Center, NY partners William Switala and Jim Martin. The $30,000 payday boosted her lifetime earnings to $198,236.
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.