A three-wide sweep up the backstretch proved the strong move for 1-5 favourite Donna Soprano as she maintained her unbeaten record while trotting a career-best mile in the $335,000 Peaceful Way Final on Saturday (Sept. 12) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Stablemate Dicentra dashed past early leader Dream Chapter past a :27.1 opening quarter. Amazone Duharas parked from fifth around the first turn with Donna Soprano floating to catch that cover into the backstretch. However Amazone Duharas did not progress into the backside, prompting driver Bob McClure to launch Donna Soprano to the center of the track and slide by Dicentra to lead past a :56.4 half.
Amazone Duharas rushed alongside Donna Soprano into the final turn approaching three-quarters in 1:25.2 but tired into the stretch as Donna Soprano lifted flight. The Donato Hanover filly opened four-and-a-quarter lengths in progress to a 1:53.3 win over Lady Chaos, who lunged up the pylons for second. You Will Be Queen finished third.
“She’s so fast and she’s got a great gait,” McClure said after the race. “I’ve talked many times about her temperament and that she’s a little flighty, but I’ve also said she’s getting better every week. I tell you she was perfect tonight. I moved her three wide, she landed on the front—she came right back to me—and just coasted home. She’s a very special filly and I’m just very lucky to be able to drive her.”
Undefeated from five starts, Donna Soprano upped her career bankroll to $278,082 for owner Determination. The Luc Blais trainee paid $2.70 to win.
The Peaceful Way was one of the handful of major stakes events on the Saturday card at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Recaps from the other races are available at the following links:
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.