There were pacing fillies aplenty on hand for Monday’s 11-race card at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as the Campbellville oval hosted three OSS Gold Series divisions for the rookies.
Better Single brushed to the lead in the backstretch and cruised to a comfortable score in her $66,400 division.
James MacDonald got away fourth with the daughter of Betterthancheddar-Imoutahere, while Propose shot to the lead and had the field chasing her past the quarter pole in :29. Better Single took a couple of steps to get into gear, but when she did she motored to the lead and hit the half in :56.4. From there she stepped to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4 before using a :28.4 closing panel to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Revival Cards. Medici Hanover was third.
Sent off as the 2-1 favourite, Better Single prevailed in her debut for trainer/co-owner Anthony Beaton and partner David Mercer of Sydney, NS. The pacing lass was purchased for $17,000 from last year’s London Select Yearling Sale.
Deb pulled off an 8-1 upset in the second division for the tandem of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Dr. Ian Moore.
Henry had the daughter of Sportswriter-Atlantic Seelster on the lead from Post 6, and together they chopped out the first quarter in :27.4. Café Society marched by her in the backstretch and proceeded to wheel the field through middle splits of :56.1 and 1:25.1. Café Society drifted off the rail in the lane and that opened a path for Deb who then used a :27.4 closing kick to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Skyhigh Ambition in 1:53.2. Race favourite Quebec Blue Chip was third.
Wilma & James MacKenzie of Ennismore, Ont. own the youngster who was a $24,000 purchase from last year’s London Selected Yearling Sale.
Disturbed Hanover was a popular winner in the final division for the tandem of driver Jody Jamieson and trainer William Dalious.
The daughter of Big Jim-Driven To Sin got away fifth while Clearly Better and Summer Charm battled to the quarter pole in :27.3. Clearly Better worked her way to the lead and she proceeded to the half in :57. Disturbed Hanover popped off the rail going to the half, and she quickly rushed up alongside Clearly Better at the three-quarter marker in 1:25.4. Disturbed Hanover opened up some daylight in the lane and then held on to win by a length over the dead-heating duo of Crisp Mane and Summer Charm in 1:53.4.
The Wiz Kids Stable LLC of Dover, DE owns the freshman filly who was a $10,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale. She’s the half-sister to OSS graduate Drachan Hanover (1:50.1 - $492,027).
A two-year-old of a different variety broke his maiden on the Monday evening card, as well.
Charmbo Golden, a rookie son of Manofmanymissions-Hetties Charm, romped to a 1:59.3 decision in a $14,000 event for trotters.
Trevor Henry marched the youngster to the lead from Post 8, and nine rivals were chasing them past the quarter pole in :31.1. Lifetime Royalty shot to the top in the backstretch and he supplied middle splits of 1:01.1 and 1:30.3 before drifting to the far outside of the track coming off the final turn. Charmbo Golden was straight and strong through the lane and won by seven lengths over Lifetime Royalty. Third prize went to Sweet Lou Whittaker.
Trainer Jack Rier co-owns the homebred with Randy Rier of Hanover, Ont. The freshman now owns a 1-1-0 from two trips to the track.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.