A seam opened at the pylons for Wheels On Fire to scoot by a pair of stubborn duelers in the stretch and win the $34,000 Preferred 2 Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night (Oct. 29).
Codename Cigar Box, sent off as the 9-5 favourite, cleared the lead to a :27.2 first quarter before Carbine took over control into the backside. Codename Cigar Box then circled back to the lead into a :56 half as Woodmere Stealdeal pulled first over from fourth and rushed toward the leader into the final turn.
Woodmere Stealdeal took a narrow lead from Codename Cigar Box to three-quarters in 1:23.3 and pulled to a length lead into the stretch. But Codename Cigar Box continued to battle to his inside and edged closer to the lead all while Wheels On Fire shot along the pegs in the final eighth. Codename Cigar Box reclaimed the lead late but lost his advantage a nostril to Wheels On Fire at the end of a 1:50.4 mile. Woodmere Stealdeal settled for third and Mappos Lion took fourth.
A seven-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, Wheels On Fire won his 41st race from 126 starts and pushed his bankroll to $907,338. Doug McNair drove the Richard Moreau trainee, who races for owner Brad Grant. He paid $9.20 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.