Saturday (Dec. 10) was a truly happy birthday for trainer Don Beatson as his prized mare So Much More gave the boys a beating and coasted to a 1:50.2 win in the $34,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
So Much More cleared command past a :26.3 first quarter from Sintra and sneaked a breather to a :55.4 half before the pressure increased to the turn. Desperate Man marched uncovered toward the leader and reached within a length of the front as the tempo quickened to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Upon straightening, So Much More accelerated for home and held her ground all through the lane to register a 1-1/4-length win over Sintra, who snagged second in a photo from Desperate Man and Wheels On Fire, respectively.
Owned by Don Beatson — who turned 81 on Saturday — with Kenn Beatson and Cole England, So Much More won her 57th race from 124 starts and has now earned $1,222,755. James MacDonald drove the six-year-old Big Jim mare, who paid $4.50 to win.
Unsung Hero won in the sole $18,000 division for the Valedictory opening preliminary. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy circled the three-year-old Always B Miki gelding to the lead after a :26.2 first quarter and kept his foes behind for the remainder. Passing a :56 half, he accelerated to post three-quarters in 1:24.4 and rolled home to a 1:51.1 victory over pocket-sitter Mayor Ofthemoment, beaten 1-1/2 lengths. Camara Moment gave chase another two lengths behind in third and Full Disclosure finished fourth.
Trained by Chantal Mitchell for owners Howard Taylor and Curtis Daniels, Unsung Hero won his sixth race from 19 starts and has now banked $67,940. He paid $8.90 to win.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.