The Boxing Day card of harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park featured two pacing series finals and a Preferred Trot as part of a 12-dash offering. Meg Crone didn't have a dog in the fight for the Valedictory Pacing Series, but she came into the other co-features with serious chances.
Crone's crew came out of the fog unfettered and undefeated, winning both the $36,000 Preferred Trot and the $33,000 Niagara Pacing Series final.
After taking the lead in the $36,000 Preferred Trot and setting panels in :26.4, :56.3 and 1:26, Amigo Volo and driver Tyler Borth opened up to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3. Oney Hall (James MacDonald) finished second with Truffles Too (Trevor Henry) third.
Pinske Stables and David Miller co-own the six-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick and the Yankee Glide mare Margarita Momma. He earned his fourth win of the season from 20 starts to go along with $221,360 in purse earnings. In his career, Amigo Volo has put together a record of 31-21-12 in 84 starts with career earnings of $2,365,046. He paid $3.90 to win.
Alabama Hannah ($3.40) was unbeaten in the first two legs of the Niagara Pacing Series, and she delivered for her connections and supporters in the $33,000 final as part of the Boxing Day card.
The Crone pupil was sent off as the 3-5 choice on Tuesday afternoon, but did head postward with one notable difference in the series finale. With regular driver Louis-Philippe Roy not active for this card, Crone obtained James MacDonald for the assignment and the track's leading driver added another win to his totals.
Leaving from post seven, Alabama Hannah navigated her way to the top through the foggy conditions. Landing on the lead with a :26.2 opening quarter, MacDonald asked Alabama Hannah to back down the middle half and the filly responded in kind through a :55.3 half and 1:25.1 third panel. With a lead of more than two lengths turning for home, Alabama Hannah scooted home in :27.3 to best Yoda Queen (Andy Moore) by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4. Ladyterra (Tyler Borth) completed the triactor.
"I was hoping to just float out, take it easy, re-move, get soft fractions and win easy — no suspense — but it rarely goes like that," said MacDonald after the win. "I got out of there, a couple others got out of there well, and I was trying to back up to let Jody [Jamieson and Occasionally Sharp] go and come back quick but he ended up able to get into the two-hole. So then I got a little breather and she did the rest."
Alabama Hannah (Huntsville - Upfrontandpersonal) is now a six-time winner in 12 starts this year for owner Jeffrey Nanna of Utica, New York. The win lifts her career bankroll just shy of six figures, now at $98,468 lifetime.
The Niagara Pacing Series is for three-year-old fillies, non-winners of $60,000 lifetime (no allowances) as of Oct. 31, 2023.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.