Lifting off cover into the stretch, odds-on favourite Sintra shot past competition to win the $36,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Saturday (Aug. 8) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Wheels On Fire posted quick fractions early, hitting the quarter in :25.3 and the half in :54.2 unprompted. Sintra floated off the pegs from sixth moving towards the backside and grabbed cover as Evenwood Sonofagun angled first over tracked by Casimir Richie P to the far turn.
Though Evenwood Sonofagun advanced towards Wheels On Fire moving to three-quarters in 1:22.3, driver Jody Jamieson put Sintra into play and launched off cover. By the top of the stretch the seven-year-old Mach Three gelding rolled from sixth to first—gaining five lengths—and through the stretch powered clear of Evenwood Sonofagun by two-and-three-quarter lengths to win in 1:49.2. Casimir Richie P took third.
Owned by Michael Guerriero, Kelly Waxman, Nunzio Vena and Frank Cirillo, Sintra won his fifth race from 11 starts this season and his 29th from 68 overall, earning $1,223,387. Anthony Beaton trains the $3.60 winner.
Treacherous Reign ground uncovered to a 1:50.1 score in the $32,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace.
Assigned the outside post, driver Bob McClure landed Treacherous Reign fifth to a :26.3 opening quarter set by Seaswift Joy N. McClure then angled the four-year-old Captaintreacherous mare first over moving to a :55.3 half and journeyed towards her pacesetting stablemate heading to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Treacherous Reign overtook Seaswift Joy N into the stretch and strode clear of her rivals, winning by two lengths over Kendall Seelster closing for second, with So Much More tracking the winner’s cover for third.
Owned by Alagna Racing LLC, Big Als Stables, Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing LLC, Treacherous Reign won her second race from five starts this season and her 13th from 34 overall, earning $879,102. Tony Alagna trains the $3.90 winner.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.