All eyes were on O’Brien Award winner Emoticon Hanover during Monday’s main event at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and the Luc Blais trainee passed her first test of the season with flying colours.
With Dan Dube at the lines behind last year’s Trotting Mare of the Year in Canada, Emoticon Hanover got away fourth while Hockey Hanover shot to the front in their $26,000 conditioned event. Cue Hall brushed to the lead in the backstretch and took the field past the half in :56.1.
Emoticon Hanover angled to the outside going to the half, and she quickly accelerated to gain the lead while racing parked past the three-quarter pole in 1:24.4. A :27.4 final frame was enough for Emoticon Hanover to post the win by three-quarters of a length over Cue Hall in 1:52.3. Free Willy Hanover finished third.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, the six-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Emmylou Who won for the 23rd time in her career for owner Determination of Montréal, Québec. The $13,000 payday lifted her earnings to $1,679,642.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.