Taurasi extended his win streak to six in the $36,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park, capping off a Saturday night training triple for Canada's leading conditioner Richard Moreau.
Soaring Now was the top pick in the field to put an end to Taurasi's streak and the 4-5 favourite blasted off the gate from post six to take immediate control for driver James MacDonald. Parked from post four, Doug McNair pressed on with Taurasi into the first turn, edging ahead at the :27.4 quarter pole then clearing down the backstretch. Taurasi continued uncontested on the lead to the half in :56.1 and the field remained in single-file alignment until midway around the final turn when Poseidon Seelster and Tyler Moore launched a first-over attack from third as they raced to three-quarters in 1:24. However, Taurasi rebuffed that rival through the stretch and prevailed in 1:50.4 by three-quarters of a length over Soaring Now, who got racing room late to gain ground along the pylons. Poseidon Seelster finished 2-3/4 lengths back in third.
After finishing third by less than a length in his debut from the Moreau stable last December, Taurasi has been perfect since, winning six in a row against Preferred company. Owned by Brad Grant and Alagna Racing, the five-year-old Racing Hill-Voluminous gelding is four-for-four and the leading money winner in Canada so far this year with $72,000 banked in purses. He now boasts 16 career victories from 35 starts with total earnings amounting to $473,321.
Sent off at even-money, Taurasi paid $4.20 to win and $2.10 to place. There was no show wagering.
McNair, a four-time winner on the 11-race card, also drove Hungry Man ($2.40) to a 1:52 triumph for Moreau and Grant. Seriously Hanover ($2.60) was another popular winner from the Moreau stable, scoring his second straight in 1:51.3 with MacDonald aboard.
Moreau's win count is now up to 60 in 2024, with a 20-win lead in the national trainer standings.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)