Driver Doug McNair was forced to play the waiting game for the longest time en route to winning with I Got To Boogie in Thursday’s $45,900 final of the Town Pro Pacing Series at Mohawk Racetrack.
The three-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Ideal Coast was hopelessly buried at the rail around the final turn, but when room opened up – and there wasn’t much room – she drilled her way between horses and pulled off the 11-1 upset for trainer Tony O’Sullivan.
McNair got away third from the rail with I Got To Boogie while Rachel Welch and Request For Parole battle to the quarter pole in :27. Request For Parole eventually cleared, but Regil Elektra quickly challenged and overtook that foe on the way to the mid-way point. She came under pressure from Rachel Welch at the half in :55.1, and the first-over prompter eventually worked her way back to the top.
Rachel Welch was still in command at the three-quarter pole in 1:23.1, but she was being challenged by Request For Parole. Rachel Welch turned that rival aside, but she couldn’t do the same to I Got To Boogie who split horses in the final strides and got up for the head decision in 1:52.2 over Somewhereinheaven and race favourite Seaside Rory.
“I thought she had just as much speed in there as the rest of them, but she’s had a few steering issues," McNair said following the win. "I figured at the top of the stretch that if I could get through then she’d get a good piece of it. She’s not real handy sometimes, but she’s better off a helmet and Tony (O’Sullivan) had her right.”
Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC share ownership on the career winner of $69,050. She went winless in four starts as a rookie, but she now boasts a 2-0-2 record in her first four starts of the 2013 campaign.
(Quotes from WEG)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.