The win margin isn't printed on the paycheque, and it doesn't change the pari-mutuel payouts. Thus, the supporters and connections of Combs Hanover aren't concerned with the final stride victory the gelding posted in the $34,000 Preferred Trot on Tuesday (August 10) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Slight second choice Combs Hanover was pressed by driver Paul MacDonell to land on the lead and did so, clearing Mass Fortune K (Doug McNair) just before the first quarter was reached in :27.3. MacDonell took hold as favoured Oney Hall (Trevor Henry) came to call, parked passed the three-eighths mark to get that lead and take over to front the field through a :55.4 half and 1:24.2 three quarters.
Muscle Fashion (Louis-Philippe Roy) was out and driving, but couldn't sustain that first-over bid as Oney Hall gained some daylight on his rivals at the head of the lane. That separation gave MacDonell the room he needed to angle Combs Hanover from the pocket and take a shot at the temposetter. Perfetto (Dagfin Henriksen) came flying on the outside to give threatening chase as well but the battle was between Oney Hall and Combs Hanover for the win, with Combs Hanover reaching up in the final stride to stick a nose in front. Perfetto finished a length back of the front pair to round out the top three.
MacDonell trains Combs Hanover for Chris & Michael Storms of Picton, Ont. The four-year-old son of Archangel - Chez Lucie now sports a 5-0-2 summary from eight seasonal starts, and last night's win was his eighth lifetime.
To view the results from Tuesday's card of harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a card that also included OSS Grassroots action and the final of the Whenuwishuponastar Series, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.