The wins haven't been as easy to come by in 2024 for 2023 O'Brien Award winner Willys Home Run, but the trotting filly looked impressive during the session of qualifiers on Friday, Aug. 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Making her first appearance since the Ontario Sires Stakes Mid-Season Final on July 6 — where she finished seventh and missed the first cheque in her career — Willys Home Run and driver James MacDonald chased a fired-up Flight Landing (Tyler Jones), who carved out fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26 during the session's second qualifier. Following the leader around the final turn, Willys Home Run angled out in the stretch and powered past the pacesetter as part of a :27.3 final quarter to trip the timer in a lifetime best 1:53.4.
The full-sister to accomplished millionaire Logan Park, Willys Home Run (Archangel - Rite Outa The Park) sports an enviable record of 7-6-1 in 15 career starts with more than $637,000 in earnings. Kyle Fellows trains the sophomore trotter for owners Dr. Sara Gatchell of Strathroy, Ont., Jake Higgs of Strathroy, Ont., Reg Higgs of Ilderton, Ont. and Yolanda Fellows of Rockwood, Ont.
The full qualifier video stream is available below.
For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).
(Standardbred Canada)