After representing Canada in the million-dollar Yonkers International Trot in his first trip abroad last weekend, Fashion Frenzie returned to a familiar place on Friday night: the winner's circle of his home track.
The two-time O'Brien Award-winning trotter, who finished ninth in the added-distance International, rebounded with a winning effort in the $32,000 Preferred 2 Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Leaving from outside his five foes as the heavy 1-5 favourite for Louis-Philippe Roy, Fashion Frenzie raced three-wide to the first turn as Perfetto (Dagfin Henriksen) protected his pylon position and the mare Adare Castle (James MacDonald) fired out between those foes. Fashion Frenzie pressed on as they rounded the turn and worked to clear Perfetto as they straightened into the backstretch after a :27 opening quarter with Adare Castle taking back to fourth behind Oney Hall (Doug McNair).
Fashion Frenzie led the rest of the way by a few lengths, cruising through middle splits of :56 and 1:25 en route to the two-length victory in 1:52.1. Oney Hall, the 5-1 second choice and recent Preferred winner, went first-over at three-quarters and trotted a :26.4 final frame but had to settle for second this night. Perfetto finished third while Adare Castle held on for fourth in a photo finish with HP Mama B (Tyler Borth) and Forbidden Trade (Bob McClure).
Back in the barn of trainer Richard Moreau, the five-year-old Archangel-Striking Fashion gelding picked up his fifth win of the season from nine starts while his annual income climbed to $185,356 for owners Ecurie Francis Richard Inc., Mario Bourgea, Pierre Guillemette and Sylvain Richard. Fashion Frenzie, who boasts more than $1.1 million in career earnings, has won 23 of his 37 races lifetime.
He paid $2.40 to win and $2.20 to place. There was no show wagering.
Stepping up to the $32,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace, Stephen Upson's homebred Intothemysticmoon established a new lifetime mark of 1:50.3 as she pulled off a 9-1 upset in Friday's co-feature.
Trained and driven by Phil Hudon, the four-year-old Artspeak-Mystical Moon mare tracked the cover of Parisian Blue Chip (James MacDonald) down the backstretch and sprinted home in :26.4 to defeat that foe by 1-1/4 lengths. Mystifying (Doug McNair) closed from the backfield to show while the popular pacesetter, Western Wish (Tyler Borth), completed the superfecta after setting fractions of :26.3, :55.1 and 1:23.1.
Intothemysticmoon won her last race in April but has been knocking at the door lately, coming off three consecutive runner-up finishes. She returned $20.90 for the upset win.
Intothemysticmoon earned her fourth win of the season from 25 starts and now has a dozen victories lifetime with earnings totalling $238,378.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.