Sintra strikes back

Millionaire gelding Sintra returned to top form on Saturday as he captured a Woodbine Mohawk Park $34,000 Preferred Handicap Pace for the first time since he scored two of three in March.

Regular reinsman Jody Jamieson exercised his usual tactics with the son of Mach Three, slotting him into fourth from post five as the field settled into line. Century Farroh (Sylvain Fillion) cut out a :26.3 first quarter mile and a :55.2 half before the backfield came alive.

Sintra received cover as he tipped to the outside and flushed Wheels on Fire (Doug McNair) out of the pocket on the last turn. Wheels On Fire led the charge and dispatched Century Farroh at the top of the stretch, but the new leader’s concern became Sintra, whose surge came into full effect at the eighth pole. Wheels On Fire battled into deep stretch, but Sintra had more remaining pace and overtook him late to take a 1:50 victory.

Wheels On Fire finished second. Warrawee Vital (Trevor Henry) gained for third off of a ground-saving trip. The win price was $12.

SINTRA REPLAY

Dave Menary trains Sintra, an eight-year-old gelding that has won 38 of 91 career starts and has made $1,468,567. Michael Guerriero of Brampton, Kelly Waxman of Carlisle, Nunzio Vena of Bolton, and Frank Cirillo of Kleinburg own the Canadian Pacing Derby and Mohawk Gold Cup champion.

Sintra won two Preferreds in his first three starts to begin the year but moved to The Meadowlands due to the shutdown of Ontario racing. He won one $30,000 Preferred in four tries in New Jersey before returning to Mohawk Park in June. He lost two top-level contests before taking a conditioned pace on Jul. 17 and finishing second again in the Preferred on Jul. 24.

Sylvain Filion and Louis-Philippe Roy represented the Fleur de Lys well on Saturday as both drivers of Quebec origin piloted three winners.

Woodbine Mohawk Park is set to return to action on Monday, Aug. 2. That card features the second leg of the Dream Maker Pacing Series for two-year-olds and another $34,000 Preferred.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink