Of his five driving wins for the Tuesday (Aug. 8) evening card at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Louis-Philippe Roy's win with Pretty Missy May in the second race was the one that likely provided the most emotion.
Pretty Missy May is bred and trained by the long-time voice of harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Ken Middleton. He was sidelined in a training accident earlier this year, and told Trot Insider that Richard Moreau generously took over the training on some of his stock — Pretty Missy May included.
Louis-Philippe Roy and Pretty Missy May soared to the front from post seven in the field scratched down to nine, leading the freshman fillies to the opening panel in :28. Millies Spirit (Ed Hensley) took over for a brief split before Premier Heiress (Scott Young) moved first over through the half in :57.4. Premier Heiress continued to lead through the three-quarters in 1:26.2 with Millies Spirit in second and Pretty Missy May third. Down the stretch, Premier Heiress battled against Pretty Missy May. Pretty Missy May stuck her head out for the maiden-breaking win over Premier Heiress in 1:55.2. We Meet Again (Paul MacDonell) rounded out the top three.
In addition to breaking her maiden, as noted by track announcer Shannon 'Sugar' Doyle, it was the first start for Pretty Missy May since the sudden and unexpected passing of one of her owners, harness racing photographer John Watkins. Watkins co-owned the freshman Big Jim-Little Miss Sporty filly with Middleton, James Grant and David Walls. She paid $14.50 to win.
Roy completed his five-win performance for the evening card with Mufferaw Joe (1:53.3; $3.70), Calicojack Hanover (1:54.1; $3.20), Njinsky (1:53.4; $2.40) and Eternally Hanover (1:55.2; $14.90).
Northern Charlotte won her fifth race in a row on the Tuesday evening card with Paul MacDonell in the bike for Camilla Christoforou. Owned by Brad Grant, the Muscle Mass-Shestheonetowatch sophomore turned in a gate-to-wire victory in 1:54.4, a career best performance. It was her fifth win in six starts this season and fifth career victory in 12 starts.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.