Driver Louis-Philippe Roy asserted authority with Chantal Mitchell trainee Best In Show to best his rivals in the $34,000 Preferred Handicap on Saturday (Aug. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Away third to a :26.4 first quarter, Roy rolled Best In Show to the lead heading to a :54.4 half while early leader Century Farroh yielded for the pocket. Mayhem Hanover came calling first over into the final turn with 9-5 favourite Sintra in tow as Best In Show maintained command to three-quarters in 1:22. But the backfield fanned across the track in behind the five-year-old Bettors Delight stallion through the stretch as Best In Show cruised to a 1-1/4-length victory in 1:49.2 over Century Farroh. Sintra rallied for third.
Owned by Richard and Joanne Young, Best In Show won his fourth race from 12 starts this season and his 10th from 43 overall, earning $744,399. He paid $10.30 to win.
Rocknificent roared from the pocket late in the $35,000 Fillies & Mares Open to post a 1:49.2 victory heading into the Roses Are Red next Saturday (Sept. 4) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
So Much More took the lead by a :27.1 first quarter while Rocknificent settled in the pocket. Gias Surreal tipped first over moving to a :55.3 half as Machnhope waited for and grabbed that cover to the final turn. Past three-quarters in 1:22.4, Gias Surreal started to backtrack, leaving a seam for Rocknificent to shake loose and shoot by So Much More late in the stretch to win by three-quarter lengths. Machnhope kicked off her fading cover to finish third.
A four-year-old mare by Captaintreacherous, Rocknificent won her second race from 11 starts this season and her 12th from 39 overall, earning $776,214. Linda Toscano trains the $3.60 winner for owners Enviro Stables Ltd., South Mountain Stables and Little E LLC while Yannick Gingras sat in the sulky.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.