Woodbine Mohawk Park hosted a stakes-filled card of harness racing, highlighted by multiple record performances, on Saturday, Aug. 23. The William Wellwood Memorial featured on the program that contained more than $1.5 million in purses.
Ardonne Equals Stakes Record In William Wellwood Memorial
Scott Zeron made a decisive brush up the backstretch with Ardonne, who comfortably held the lead to take the Grade 1 $485,000 William Wellwood Memorial in a stakes record-equaling 1:52.4 mile.
Sent off as the 7-5 second choice, Zeron floated Ardonne out of post six and found a seat in third to wait for the outside speed of Strobe Lite (Tyler Borth) and Tavern Onthe Green (Louis-Philippe Roy) to settle. Strobe Lite cleared to command to a :27.2 first quarter and coasted on the lead as Zeron tipped Ardonne out of third and gathered momentum for a backside sweep.
Ardonne planted onto the point before a :56 half and took the positional edge on 3-5 favourite Magic Punk (Dexter Dunn), who had just begun a first-over grind out of fifth. Zeron kept Ardonne cruising through the last turn and raced past three-quarters in 1:24.3 while Magic Punk loomed up to his wheel on the turn for home. Once called upon, Ardonne rebuffed the challenge from Magic Punk and motored into another gear to peel away in the closing stages for a 2-1/2-length victory. Magic Punk took second from Strobe Lite in third, followed by Touchedbyanangel (Doug McNair) in fourth.
“It’s what we all dream of and what we work so hard for,” winning trainer Megan Scran said after the race. “When it actually comes together, it’s just amazing. I give (Zeron) a lot of credit too, because he’s brought this colt along great and set him up for a trip like this tonight.”
Zeron said he was thrilled to win the race with Scran, his girlfriend.
“I’ve accomplished a lot by myself as a driver, and Megan said ‘Well, the next bucket list goal should be to do it with me,’" Zeron said. "You think it’s a little surreal, it’s hard to do, and she only broke four babies training down, but this was one of them.
"I’ve been waiting to try and get him on the front. We had to work pretty hard to get there, but once he got there he relaxed nicely. Coming around the last turn, you don’t know what you’ve got until you ask him. It was a stellar performance.”
A colt by Tactical Landing-Burberry, Ardonne won his second race from six tries and catapulted his bankroll to $355,452 for owner Philip Steinberg of Weston, Fla. Bred by R.K. Greenfield, he was purchased for $50,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
“This is probably the biggest race I’ve won,” Steinberg said. “I’ve won a couple of big stakes races, but this is unbelievable. And [Scott and Megan] are the best. I just left it to these two to do whatever they wanted to do, and they brought (Ardonne) along just tremendously.”
Ardonne paid $4.90 to win.
Sugar Packet Pours It On In Peaceful Way
Sugar Packet found a seam coming off the turn for home and then powered down the lane en route to a scintillating score in the Grade 1 $385,000 Peaceful Way.
There was a multi-horse tussle for the early lead in the race for rookie trotting fillies, with Shimmering Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) eventually emerging on top, followed by Sugar Packet, Green Moni Queen (Todd McCarthy), and 4-5 choice One Belle (James MacDonald), as the first quarter was carved out in :27.1. One Belle, undefeated in three starts prior to the Peaceful Way, was put in play after the opening panel, with Sugar Packet tucked in third and Bingo Night (Tyler Jones) in fourth, as Shimmering Hanover continued to call the shots through a half in :56.2.
Shimmering Hanover was pressured by One Belle heading into the turn for home, but the latter could not get by and began to lose ground, while Bingo Night was given her cue a few strides ahead of three quarters in 1:25.1. Jody Jamieson maintained a patient hand with Sugar Packet along the rail but needed to find daylight to take aim at the pacesetter. The opening came shortly after the stretch drive commenced, as the daughter of Six Pack-Sugarcane Yankee stormed to the front with an eighth of a mile to the wire. Bingo Night picked up the chase and attempted to reel in the new leader, but mid-way down the lane, it was merely a question of what the winning margin would be for Sugar Packet.
The answer was 5-1/4 lengths in an authoritative triumph in a new speed badge of 1:53.3 for the Blake MacIntosh trainee. Bingo Night was second, Shimmering Hanover finished third, and Wishuponastar Deo (Tyler Borth) was fourth.
"Blake had her so good,” said Jamieson, whose stellar Saturday evening also included a win with Daya in the Eternal Camnation and a victory in the Nassagaweya with Tilthecowscomehome. “She just wasn't quite as good as she'd been in the past last week. She still raced fine. But (MacIntosh) thought she'd be way better tonight. He said she warmed up better another week at home. And, obviously, she was awesome tonight. Just awesome."
MacIntosh, who co-owns the trotter with Bay Pond Racing Stable of Malvern, Pa. and Ozzie Mackay of Moncton, N.B., celebrated his second straight Peaceful Way crown after winning last year’s edition with Monalishi.
"I wasn't really happy with last week's performance,” said the trainer with more than 1,300 career wins. “She just had no pop leaving. But, you know, we shipped her up from the New York barn earlier in the week, and maybe that took a little bit out of her. I knew this morning, when I jogged her at the track, she was back to herself. You know, just felt a lot better this morning, and warming up, she was great. I told Jody, ‘She's back to herself.’
"Jody gave her a perfect trip tonight, and everything worked out. That's all we could hope for."
Bred by Winbak Farm, she was a $14,865 purchase at the 2024 Lexington Select Yearling Sale. Sugar Packet is now 3-3-0 from seven starts with $315,041 in earnings. She paid $5.70 for the win.
The Peaceful Way is named for one of the most talented trotting fillies ever bred in Ontario who recorded more than $3.2 million in purse earnings over her brilliant career and was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2008. One year earlier, shortly after Peaceful Way’s retirement, Woodbine Entertainment announced they had renamed the Oakville Stakes (an event she won in her two-year-old season) in the bay mare’s honour.
Bythemissal Ties Canadian Record In Canadian Pacing Derby Eliminations
Bythemissal equalled the all-time fastest pacing mile in Canadian history as he charged down the stretch to take the second of two $50,000 eliminations for the Grade 1 Canadian Pacing Derby in a 1:46.4 mile.
Bythemissal fired out of post six and grabbed a spot in second as Coaches Corner (Louis-Philippe Roy) vaulted to the lead approaching a :26 first quarter. Coaches Corner maintained a steady tempo to a :53.4 half as Gingras took a firmer hold on Bythemissal.
Captain Luke (Dexter Dunn) attempted a first-over bid out of fourth through the final turn but made minimal inroads while Bythemissal waited for his cue. Bythemissal edged outside and encroached on Coaches Corner gradually through three-quarters in 1:20.1 before hitting the accelerator for home. Bythemissal soared down the lane and kicked away to a four-length win over Coaches Corner, with Maximus Miki (Scott Zeron) third. Captain Luke finished fourth, and Helium N (Todd McCarthy) completed the top five.
Bythemissal matched the all-age track and Canadian record for pacers that was established by Dr J Hanover in 2017 and equalled thrice since – twice by stallion Bulldog Hanover in 2022 and once by Warrawee Vital in 2023.
“In the post parade he was just the right amount on the bit, not too much – sometimes that’s been part of the problem with him,” Gingras said after the race. “But he was just perfect; he left out of there good and relaxed enough in the pocket. I was super pleased with him. In the last turn he was swelling up so much that I just put half my wheel on the outside to make sure I wasn’t going to get locked in there, but I was just patient to the top of the stretch and he delivered a tremendous performance.”
Ron Burke trains Bythemissal, a six-year-old gelding by Downbytheseaside-Dismissal, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC of Fredericktown, Pa., Eric Good of Davidsonville, Md., Rich Lombardo Racing LLC of Solon, Ohio, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg, Pa. The gelding tallied his 31st win from 51 starts and has now banked $2,750,605 in his career. Off the 3-5 favourite, he paid $3.30 to win.
Ervin Hanover ripped from a pocket ride to post a 1:47.4 win in the first elimination for the Canadian Pacing Derby.
Ruthless Hanover (Doug McNair) rolled forward from the center of the gate while Ervin Hanover pushed from post seven to secure the pocket before a :26 first quarter. Even-money favourite Sabonis (Dunn) settled into fourth but became the first to break rank when pulling off the pegs to mount a first-over bid through a :54.3 half.
Sabonis progressed steadily on the rim through the far turn, leaving ample room for Ervin Hanover to angle outside. He tipped out and took aim at Ruthless Hanover through three-quarters in 1:21.2 and engaged in a stubborn stretch battle before eventually pulling clear in the final eighth of a mile. Ervin Hanover slid away to a 1-1/4-length win over Ruthless Hanover with Oakwood Ardan Ir (Jordan Stratton) storming from the backfield for third. Sabonis held fourth, and Huntinthelastdolar (Gingras) grabbed the last berth into the final.
“I was pretty confident in my horse there, the way he felt,” Roy said after the race. “I was just making sure I wasn’t going to stay locked in. Ruthless [Hanover] is a good horse too, but I feel like he can do both – put in those crazy miles and we’ve seen him some times, on a bad night, stop a little bit – so I wanted to not take any chance of getting locked there.”
A five-year-old stallion by Captaintreacherous-Eloquent Grace, Ervin Hanover improved his career record to 21-for-68 and has now earned $715,913. Dave Menary trains him for owner Pollack Racing LLC of Venetia, Pa. The stallion paid $5.30 to win.
Following the last elimination, Woodbine Mohawk Park conducted the draw for the Grade 1 Canadian Pacing Derby, which goes to post next Saturday, Aug. 30. Elimination winners Ervin Hanover and Bythemissal earned priority and protected draws between posts two and six. Below is the field for the Canadian Pacing Derby Final.
$540,000(est.) Canadian Pacing Derby (Grade 1)
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. Ruthless Hanover - Doug McNair - Thomas Cancelliere
2. Captain Luke - Dexter Dunn - Andrew Harris
3. Sabonis - Dexter Dunn - Brett Pelling
4. Bythemissal - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
5. Maximus Miki - Scott Zeron - Thomas Cancelliere
6. Ervin Hanover - Louis-Philippe Roy - Dave Menary
7. Huntinthelastdolar - Yannick Gingras - Per Engblom
8. Coaches Corner - Louis-Philippe Roy - Per Engblom
9. Oakwood Ardan Ir - Jordan Stratton - Robert Cleary
10. Helium N - Todd McCarthy - Dave Menary
Beau Jangles Sets Stakes Record In Nassagaweya; Fillies Battle In Eternal Camnation
Beau Jangles improved to five-for-five with a stakes record performance in the $117,150 Nassagaweya first division to lead the two-year-old pacing Grand Circuit events.
He was away third in the first quarter of :26.3 but was out and advancing for Bob McClure as soon as the field of six settled, taking over before the half in :55. He was on cruise control to three-quarters in 1:22.1 and powered away by six lengths down the stretch in a :27.4 final quarter to set a new stakes record of 1:50. Elmer Hanover (Tyler Jones) finished second, while Stingray Deo (Yannick Gingras) finished third.
The Dr. Ian Moore trainee, a son of Cattlewash-Mrs Major Hill, lowered his lifetime mark with the victory. Owned by Graham Grace Stables LLC of Clifton, Va., Kiwi Stables LLC of La Plata, Md., and Bolton Stables of Clermont, Fla., Beau Jangles is now a Grand Circuit winner to go along with his four local victories and has earned $382,125 to date.
Moore said post-race that Beau Jangles' next start is not yet decided, but that he is considering an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold next Friday before the Metro Pace eliminations on Sep. 13.
Beau Jangles paid $2.10 to win.
Driver Jody Jamieson posted a win in the Nassagaweya and Eternal Camnation as part of his super five-win evening.
Tilthecowscomehome split rivals in the lane to regain the lead for a 1:50.3 victory in the second $117,150 Nassagaweya split. The son of Cattlewash-Dance Until Dawn blasted to the front in a :26.1 opening quarter before Dad (Louis-Philippe Roy) surged up to take command. After riding in the two-hole through :55.1 and 1:22.4 middle fractions, Tilthecowscomehome reemerged in the stretch between horses and out-battled the previously undefeated Sweet Lovin Lou for a half-length score. Sweet Lovin Lou finished second, and Windor (Doug McNair) was third.
Carl Jamieson trains Tilthecowscomehome, who is now two-for-five with $210,325 in earnings. The colt snapped a three-race streak of finishing second to Beau Jangles. Jody Jamieson of Guelph, Ont. shares ownership of Tilthecowscomehome with his father Carl of Puslinch, Ont., Joanne Morrison of Beeton, Ont., and Blair Corbeil of Leduc, Alta. The rookie colt paid $4 to win.
Jamieson guided Daya to a coast-to-coast 1:51.1 score in the first $100,200 Eternal Camnation division for trainer Jack Darling.
A filly from the first crop of Bulldog Hanover (out of Beach Of A Time), Daya made the lead in :27.4 and got middle fractions of :57 and 1:24.2 before a :26.4 sprint home to win by two lengths. Favourite Naughty Delight (James MacDonald) finished second, while No Better Air (Trevor Henry) was third.
A homebred for Jack Darling Stables Ltd. of Cambridge, Ont., Daya has won four of six lifetime starts and has earned $184,420. Her biggest win to date was in the Battle of the Belles on Aug. 4. She returned $4.50 to win.
Jen Tilly broke her maiden in style by winning the second $101,200 Eternal Camnation division in 1:51.1.
Driven by Yannick Gingras, Jen Tilly fired out at the start along with a host of others and was parked through a :26.2 quarter before finally making the lead ahead of a :55 half. The daughter of All Bets Off-Rockngo B B hit three-quarters in 1:23 and then pulled away from her rivals by four lengths for the victory. Th Check Me Out (James MacDonald) was second over Sangria Summer (Henry).
Jen Tilly, who was second last time out in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold, is trained by Scott McEneny for Burke Racing Stable LLC of Fredericktown, Frank Baldachino of Harvey Cedars, N.J., Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg, and Larry Karr of Randolph, N.J. She is now one-for-six and has earned $125,372. Jen Tilly paid $2.90 to win.
Remember The Alamo Stars In Overnight Action
Remember The Alamo delivered on his 2-5 billing as he cruised to a career-best 1:48.4 victory in the $40,000 Preferred 2 Pace.
Louis-Philippe Roy had a firm hold on the stallion to sit the pocket behind Write Me A Rose (Scott Zeron) to the quarter in :26.3 before letting him roll to the point on the backside. Remember The Alamo set down :54.4 and 1:22.1 fractions in the middle half and had no trouble keeping clear of Taurasi (Doug McNair) down the stretch, gliding home a 1-3/4-length winner. Dublin Dasher (Travis Cullen) completed the triactor.
Remember The Alamo brought his career totals to 10 wins and $297,958 in earnings in 33 starts. Ben Baillargeon conditions the son of Captaintreacherous-Ameraway and shares ownership with Santo Vena of Cedar Valley, Ont., Nunzio Vena of Bolton, Ont., and Frank Cirillo of Kleinburg, Ont. The four-year-old stallion is seven-for-14 this year. He paid $2.90 to win.
Fifth And Five pylon-skimmed late to extend his winning streak to five in the opener, a $23,000 conditioned dash. The third horse on the pylons turning for home, Jody Jamieson found him a seam at the rail in the closing stages, and Fifth And Five surged up to win by a head in 1:50.3 for an 11-1 upset. Joel And The Jets (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished second, followed by Boxer Seelster (McNair). Fifth And Five, a sophomore Bettors Delight-Filou Fly Fast colt, has won six of 10 starts this campaign for trainer Carl Jamieson, who co-owns him with 1140545 Ontario Ltd. and Trevor Edwards. The win price was $24.70.
Jody and Carl Jamieson teamed up once more in the finale to get Th Kay C Crunch ($3.30) home in a 1:52.1 victory. The win was the fifth of the night for Jody Jamieson and completed a triple for Carl Jamieson. Jody currently sits fifth in the standings at Mohawk and has won 125 races overall this year. The conditioner is winning at a 26.5 per cent rate in 2025 and, with 27 victories, has already secured his winningest season since 2013.
Jk Black Gold ($7.20) captured the $35,000 Pop-Up Series Final, reaching the lead past the quarter and going all the way from there to score in 1:51.2 for driver McNair, trainer Dave Menary, and owner Pollack Racing LLC. He was a half-length clear of Rochester Flash (Trevor Henry), who was followed by Bold Spirit (Roy). The series was for pacing horses and geldings that were non-winners of $50,000 in a minimum of 12 starts in 2025, with those that started for a purse of $11,000 or less in their prior start also eligible.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Woodbine & Standardbred Canada)