Woodbine Mohawk back in action Saturday with extra-large card
At 0h04, on March 30, 2023 • By WOODBINE MOHAWK
Following a cancellation and short break, Woodbine Mohawk Park is set to return to live racing action this Saturday (April 1) with an extra-large 15-race card.
Mother nature took out last Saturday’s program with extreme winds, which extended the originally scheduled end of March break by an extra program. This week’s break from live racing allowed for annual spring maintenance to be performed at the Campbellville oval, including the recently announced track light replacement project.
This Saturday’s return comes with a special early post time of 6 p.m. and a unique 15-race card.
The New Holland Trotting and Pacing Series finals will finally be contested this Saturday after being postponed last week due to the extreme wind.
Both finals were carried over as originally drawn for this week’s card. The $72,000 trotting series final will go as Race 5, while the $70,500 pacing series final is listed as Race 7.
The trotting event saw four different winners over the course of the preliminary legs. Carmen Auciello trainee Itstimetogohome (PP1, Doug McNair) and Shawn Steacy trainee Ritson (PP6, Scott Young) captured leg one divisions, while Per Engblom trainee Sermon (PP8, Bob McClure) and Harry Poulton trainee Locatelli (PP9, James MacDonald) took top spot in round two.
The pacing finale will see Nautical Hanover (PP8, James MacDonald) go for a series sweep after posting victories of 1:50.3 and 1:51.1 in the preliminary legs. The four-year-old son of Captaintreacherous was acquired by owner Richard Berthiaume in November and joined the barn of trainer Ben Baillargeon.
“He’s a monster right now,” said Baillargeon to Woodbine Communications last week. “He’s such a beautiful horse. We thought we’d have to pay $100,000, for what he was on paper, but we ended up paying more [$180,000] probably just because of his looks. He’s a real good-looking horse. He has a perfect gait and he’s a looker. Seeing him come down the lane (in leg two), he impressed.”
The New Holland Series events were open to non-winners of $150,000 (fillies and mares $175,000) in 2022.
