Round two of the Town Pro Pacing series continued at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening, featuring sophomore pacing fillies.
Two $20,000 divisions took place with Rachel Welch and Request For Parole getting the lion’s share for their respective connections.
In the first division, Rachel Welch, driven by Mike Saftic, used a ground-saving trip en route to victory in 1:52.3.
Saftic settled Rachel Welch away in third in the early going as favourite Douknowwhereurgoin (Sylvain Filion) crossed to command at the quarter in :27.1. Heading towards the mid-way point, I Got To Boogie (Doug McNair) pocket-pulled and regained the lead well before the :56.2 half-mile mark.
Filion elected to move Douknowwhereurgoin out of the two-hole before the 1:25.1 three-quarters, which allowed Rachel Welch to continue to save ground up the pylons.
Down the stretch, Douknowwhereurgoin and I Got To Boogie were strides apart, but both were tiring as they were used hard in the early stages of the mile. Rachel Welch was able to gather up all the pieces in deep stretch with a :26.4 final quarter to celebrate her second career win. Solid Queen (Scott Zeron) came from off-the-pace to finish second by a neck with I Got To Boogie third.
Trained and owned by Jack Darling, the Real Desire filly increased her bankroll to $63,520. She paid a handsome $28.30 to win.
After finishing second in the first leg last week, Request For Parole redeemed herself with a victory in the latter division.
Driven by Randy Waples, the daughter of Badlands Hanover crossed to command from the outside post seven at the quarter in :27.2. Heading down the backstretch, Somewhereinheaven (Jack Moiseyev) angled out from third and took over command to lead past the half in :56 and three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Turning for home, Waples was able to evacuate the pocket as he showed Request For Parole open road. The two-time winner responded with a :27.3 final quarter to wear down Somewhereinheaven and fend off all challengers in 1:52. Somewhereinheaven stayed for second, over Graphene (Doug McNair).
Trained by Normand Bardier Jr. for Quebec owner Richard Berthiaume, Request For Parole’s bankroll now sits at $23,000 after five lifetime starts. She paid $3.40 to win as the favourite.
The $40,000 (estimated) final is slated for Thursday, July 25.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)