Jimmy Freight has tough finish in debut mile

Former pacing champion turned breeding stallion, Jimmy Freight, put up a valiant effort but a tough finish in his return to the racing wars Saturday night at Mohawk Park.

After two successful qualifying wins, Jimmy Freight was making his first start back at the races since October 26, 2019. He was sent off at odds of 2-1 for driver Louis-Philippe Roy.

The 8^th race $34,00 Preferred Pace got underway with Jimmy Freight getting parked out by race favorite Wheels On Fire (Doug McNair) to an opening quarter mile in :27.1.

Jimmy Freight then led the field to the half mile in :56.1 as So Much More (James MacDonald) came first-over from fifth place with Beyond Better (Austin Sorrie) grabbing the second-over cover as they sped to the three-quarters in 1:23.4.

As they started down the stretch, So Much More was able to wear down Jimmy Freight and then hold off a strong closing effort by Beyond Better to win by a head in 1:51. Wheels On Fire was third.

SO MUCH MORE REPLAY

Jimmy Freight, despite a :27.4 last quarter mile, finished seventh.

For So Much More, the lone mare in the field against male rivals, it was the five-year-old daughter of Big Jim’s tenth win of the season. She is trained by Don Beatson, who co-owns with Ken Beatson-Cole of England, ON. She paid $7.30 to win.

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink