Another huge night for MacDonald

Harness racing driver James MacDonald turned in a five-star performance at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday as he steered five horses to victory lane five days after he scored four.

MacDonald’s wins on Thursday included the feature trot, which he won aboard Warrawee Whisper with a final-quarter surge.

Warrawee Whisper held the lead briefly from post three, but he was shuffled to third after Classy Carol (Paul Macdonell) swept past before the first quarter mile ended in :29.1 and Jackson Storm (Jody Jamieson) sprinted to the front on the backstretch. MacDonald remained patient through the half in :59 and third quarter in 1:28.4, then sprung his charge three-wide alongside battling leaders as they entered the stretch.

Warrawee Whisper quickly dispatched Jackson Storm, but Classy Carol fought on into the final eighth of a mile. MacDonald asked for more and Warrawee Whisper answered by out-finishing Classy Carol to claim the victory by a length in 1:57.3. Classy Carol held second over a closing Royal Tyrone (Jason Ryan).

WARRAWEE WHISPER REPLAY

A correct $2 win ticket returned $11.20.

Warrawee Whisper’s score was his first of the season in six tries and his second lifetime in 15. The three-year-old Trixton gelding has now earned $142,671 in his career. Shawn Steacy took over training for this start from Mark Steacy, who co-owns with Natasha Rivest of Brantford and Michael Wilson of Rockwood.

MacDonald started winning in race four with Gaudi Kir, who blew away the field by six and three quarter lengths in 1:52.4. He continued in race six behind Tanzanite Trixx in 1:57.3, then took the last three races of the night with Warrawee Whisper in the eighth, Mikey Camden (1:51.2) in the ninth, and Western Wish (1:52) in the tenth.

The Guelph resident has the hot hand to start the Mohawk meet. He bagged four victories on Jun. 12 at the Campbellville, Ontario oval and two on Jun. 11, the track’s opening day.

Louis-Philippe Roy had a good Thursday evening of his own at the lines, visiting the winner’s circle three times.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will return on Friday, Jun. 18 with 11 races, including a $30,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap. The card will kick off at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink