Woodmere Stealdeal slays Saulsbrook Victor

Woodmere Stealdeal (Steelhead Hanover) stopped the four-week reign of Saulsbrook Victor in the $34,000 Preferred class at Woodbine Mohawk Park in a narrow upset harness racing victory.

Saulsbrook Victor (Austin Sorrie) went to the lead as usual and showed the way though :27 and :56.1 first-half fractions with Woodmere Stealdeal (Jonathan Drury) tucked in the pocket. Sailboat Hanover (James MacDonald), who moved first-up nearing the midway point, moved into striking range by three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Saulsbrook Victor had put away Sailboat Hanover by mid-stretch, but Woodmere Stealdeal teed off at the pylons at the same time. With Saulsbrook Victor drifting, Woodmere Stealdeal fired home up the rail to nail the gelding by a nose in 1:51.2.

Wheels On Fire (Doug McNair) circled the other three in the stretch to finish third.

WOODMERE STEALDEAL REPLAY

It was Woodmere Stealdeal’s first Preferred-level win since moving to Ontario from the Maritimes in late 2021. He was dominant out east and a double Atlantic Sires Stakes champion. Saturday’s win put him over $300,000 in career earnings and gave him his 27th tally in 66 starts. Carmen Auciello trains the five-year-old for Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Glenn Macdonald of Ajax, and Robert Sumarah of Halifax.

Racing will continue at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Jan. 30 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink