Natasha Day wins International Women’s Day Race

MILTON, ON – March 7, 2022 – Mach My Kiss and harness racing driver Natasha Day took top prize in Monday evening’s International Women’s Day Race at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

To celebrate Tuesday’s International Women’s Day, Monday evening’s third race featured all women drivers, with a field of nine older pacing mares facing the gate.

Elm Grove Mistress and Anita Ouellette timed the gait perfectly to command the early lead from post eight, crossing over quickly to post the opening fraction of :28.2, while Natasha Day and Mach My Kiss settled into second and Jessica Turenne with Blink And Gone stalked the pace in third.

Not content with the early pocket position, Day and the Rob Fellows trainee were out and driving before the half mile mark of :58.4, clearing after a game Elm Grove Mistress stubbornly challenged the overtake, leaving Blink And Gone with Jessica Turenne lurking in third.

Once on the lead, Day and the five-year-old Mach Three mare found their groove, before a pesky Blink And Gone, trained by Richard Moreau, mounted a challenge and climbing within a head of the leader as they marched through three-quarters in 1:28.1.

Teamed up on the front, the leaders battled down the lane, before Mach My Kiss and Day pulled away late, opening up to a five-length victory in 1:58 over a good rated track.

Blink And Gone would remain for second, while Stargazing Cruiser and Marie-Claude Auger rallied late to claim the final tote board position. Fern Hill Bella and Kayla Chappell, and Elm Grove Mistress (Ouellette) rounded out the top five respectively.

The special race was part of an entire evening of festivities, which included an all-female simulcast crew. Dawn Lupul handled track announcer duties, while Monique Vág and Kelly Spencer hosted Woodbine Racing Live, chatting with several special guests throughout the night.

Live racing resumes Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7 p.m.

by Lindsay Bax, for Woodbine Communications