Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin's homebred Run Director ($3.70) has now recorded three straight wins to kick off his six-year-old campaign, having risen to tackle greater Toronto's best trotters with a gallant 1:52 score in Monday's (July 26) $34,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
After landing in fourth amid a congested charge to the first turn, Mario Baillargeon angled Run Director off the pegs following a :27.3 first quarter, and the Kadabra entire boldly charged after and overtook Only For Justice (Chris Christoforou) upon reaching the backstretch. Run Director travelled uncontested through middle sectionals of :56.1 and 1:24.4 before switching into another gear off the home turn — but he started to tire a bit in the final furlong, just as Only For Justice re-emerged from the two-hole. In the crosshairs of his pocket pursuer, Run Director dug deep, finding the winning post in time to keep Only For Justice a neck at bay. Pikachu Hanover (Bob McClure) was a one-paced third, 2-1/2 lengths in arrears.
Benoit Baillargeon trains Run Director, a 17-time winner with $669,870 in career earnings and an Ontario Sires Stakes title to his name.
To view Monday's complete results, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.