The betting public had a tough time separating JM Betonsix and Ms Quick Sand in the top class on Friday, Feb. 23 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. And those two pacing mares were not far apart at the end of their mile.
JM Betonsix was sent off as the 6-5 favourite in the $24,000 conditioned pace for fillies and mares, with Ms Quick Sand not far behind at 3-2 odds. When the wings of the gate folded, those two mares left alertly. Ms Quick Sand landed on top first for driver Austin Sorrie, with JM Betonsix and James MacDonald taking the tuck through a :27.4 opening quarter. MacDonald looped to the lead down the backside, guiding JM Betonsix through middle splits of :56.1 and 1:25.
With a two-length cushion at the head of lane, JM Betonsix appeared to have enough separation to hold off her rivals but Ms Quick Sand had other ideas. Sorrie asked Ms Quick Sand for another gear down the stretch and the pacing mare replied in the affirmative, collaring the favourite to win by a neck in 1:53. Western Wish (Louis-Philippe Roy) closed well to round out the top trio.
Ecurie CSL of Sorel-Tracy, Que. holds the papers on Ms Quick Sand (Always A Virgin - Sand Pleasure), now a 13-time winner in her career with $319,550 in purse earnings. Marie-Helene Dupont trains the five-year-old mare, who paid $5 to win as the second choice.
To view the full results from Friday's card of harness racing from Campbellville, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)