After hitting the million-dollar mark in career earnings last time out, So Much More reached another milestone on Friday night (Aug. 19).
With regular reinsman James MacDonald in the bike, So Much More earned her 50th career win with a gutsy performance in the $33,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
After a tepid :28.1 opening quarter, MacDonald made his move sending 3-5 favourite So Much More first-up from third to challenge leader Shes Nun Bettor N (Doug McNair), the 5-2 second choice, approaching the half in :57.4. The favourites battled head-to-head through three-quarters in 1:25 and duked it out down the stretch with So Much More eventually wearing down Shes Nun Bettor N then holding off the late-closers to win in 1:51.4 by half a length. Awesome Hill (Trevor Henry) closed off the winner's cover to nab the runner-up honours, finishing just ahead of the pocket-pulling Voelz Delight (Sylvain Filion) and Shes Nun Bettor N in the close race for place.
Running her win streak to three, So Much More returned $3.50 to her backers at the betting windows.
Trainer Don Beatson of Granton, Ont., Kenneth Beatson of Palgrave, Ont., and Cole England of Exeter, Ont. share ownership of the accomplished mare, who boasts an O'Brien Award on her resume and now sports a career summary reading 50-27-10 from 112 starts with earnings totalling $1,018,948. The daughter of Big Jim out of Ladysai has earned nine of those wins during her six-year-old season.
Friday's card also included the $20,000 final of the Pop-Up Series for trotters that have raced for a purse of $10,000 or less in one of last three or non-winners of $25,000 in 2022 (minimum 15 starts). Andy Over pulled off a 27-1 shocker closing from eighth in the stretch to win in 1:55.4 over Texaco Man and favourite Yes. The five-year-old Andovers Son gelding, who paid $57.90 to win, is campaigned by driver Ed Hensley and trainer Ashleigh Hensley.
A pair of $12,500 consolations were won by Hesohot Hanover ($17.30) in 1:56 for trainer/driver Doug Brown and Conquest As ($6.50) in 1:55.4 with Doug McNair driving for conditioner Duane Marfisi.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.