So Much More back on top

So Much More rebounded quickly from last week’s harness racing loss as she went first-over through a downpour to take the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap on Friday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

James MacDonald sent her away in sixth position on the inside from post eight but got the mare moving quickly behind Marloe Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) after the quarter mile in :26.3. She faced the precipitation head-on after the half in :56.2 as her cover cleared to the front, but So Much More made headway through the third quarter, which was finished in 1:24.1.

So Much More pulled alongside the leader as they turned for home and whittled down the advantage as they battled through the muddy stretch. Marloe Hanover appeared to have staved off the challenger’s advance at the eighth pole, but So Much More found additional pace and broke through for the victory in 1:51 by a neck. Marloe Hanover held onto second; Snow Shark (Travis Cullen) was third. The win price was $3.80.

SO MUCH MORE REPLAY

So Much More is now four-for-six against female Preferred foes in 2021. The Don Beatson-trained five-year-old daughter of Big Jim has won 35 of 73 lifetime starts, and she has now earned more than $630,000. Beatson, a resident of Granton, co-owns with Kenneth Beatson of Palgrave and Cole England of Exeter.

Sports Box put his nose in front in the final stride of the card’s two-year-old event for a debut victory. The son of Sportswriter broke his maiden in 1:58.2 with Scott Young driving for trainer and co-owner Paul Reid. Gary Lance of Port Perry and BC Reichheld Stables of Caledonia share in ownership of the colt. The horse upset at 22-1 and combined with 30-1 longshot Twin B Raptor for a $904.20 exactor.

Louis-Philippe Roy was the top driver of the evening with three wins.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will return on Saturday, Jun. 26 with 11 contests beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The program is headlined by a $30,000 Preferred Pace and the Mohawk return of Canadian Pacing Derby champion Sintra in that contest.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink