Memo records another victory

Memo marched to his third straight harness racing win on Monday at Woodbine Mohawk Park, but the stallion had to fight until the end in the feature to ensure the streak stayed alive.

He slotted in third for the :27.2 first quarter mile under orders from Doug McNair, who then motioned Memo to the outside on the backstretch and watched the horse sweep to the lead. Memo hit the half in :56.4 and the three-quarters in 1:25.4, but the job was far from over as Dream Nation (Scott Young) set his sights on victory from the pocket.

Dream Nation lunged off the pylons at headstretch and ate into the leader’s advantage as they trotted for home. Memo responded with tenacity as both drivers worked hard on their mounts approaching the line, and he staved off a final surge from Dream Nation for a 1:53.4 score.

MEMO REPLAY

Dream Nation missed his first win of the season by a nose. Combs Hanover (Paul Macdonell) motored late for third. Memo paid $5.60 in his 14th lifetime win. The Richard Moreau-trained five-year-old son of Trixton has amassed $282,025 in career earnings in 76 starts for owner Brad Grant of Milton.

Powertrain won his second career start in 1:49.3 in the seventh race. The three-year-old son of Shadow Play jogged in his Jun. 17 debut and returned on Monday to double his win tally. Nick Gallucci trains the homebred for Millar Farms of Stouffville.

Six of nine horses changed hands after the eighth race, a claiming handicap with tags ranging from $8,500 to $12,000. Francois Morin claimed winner Cool Rock for the minimum price along with Emptythetill for $10,000. Oakwood Eldorado went to David Deighton for $8,500, Jamie Copley purchased Outlaw Kismet for $10,000, Alwaysyourway now belongs to Scott West, who forked over $12,000, and Mister Godro will go home with Jemaxpo Racing Stable LLC, which paid $8,500.

A $34,000 Preferred headlines Woodbine Mohawk Park’s next card, which is set for Tuesday, Jun. 29 with a 7:00 p.m. first post.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink