The Canadian and U.S. two-year-old pacing filly of the year last season, Sylvia Hanover, made her sophomore debut an electric one on Saturday night (May 27) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Starting from the pylon post in a $22,000 conditioned event which featured older mares, driver Bob McClure got away sixth with Sylvia Hanover to a :26.4 first quarter set by Shes Got It All, who soon yielded command to Intothemysticmoon. McClure stayed put with the daughter of Always B Miki through a :55.2 half before floating onto cover to race third over to the final turn.
Trafalgar led the charge along the rim with Better Be Donna N sitting second over moving to three-quarters in 1:24.1. Trafalgar took the lead from Intothemysticmoon in the stretch while battling Better Be Donna N. Though McClure gave Sylvia Hanover her head in the stretch and, once given clear racetrack, she bulldozed her rivals to win in hand by three-quarter lengths in a 1:51.1 mile; pacing her final quarter in :26. Trafalgar settled for second and Better Be Donna N took third.
Sylvia Hanover races for owner Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. David Drew looks after the now nine-time winner from 10 outings who marches towards millionaire status with $914,300 already banked. She paid $3.30 to win.
Pepsi North America Cup hopeful Moment Is Here also made a splash on Saturday night when delivering as the even-money favourite against older foes in a $21,000 conditioned pace. The Bob McIntosh-trained gelding by All Bets Off raced third as speed was dealt from The Legend Hanover through splits of :27.2, :55 and 1:21.4. Driver James MacDonald waited for the pacesetter to tucker out before launching Moment Is Here to action, and the favourite sprung to the lead with ease and powered home wrapped up to stop the clock in 1:49. He finished two lengths better than pocket-sitter Dragon Energy while The Legend Hanover finished third.
Moment Is Here races for owners Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., Al McIntosh Holdings Inc., Frank Baldachino and Mardon Stables. He won his fourth race from 15 starts and has now earned $248,778. Moment Is Here paid $4.20 to win.
The mile time ties Moment Is Here with Ken Hanover as the fastest sophomore pacer of 2023 to date.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.