Wheels On Fire dethrones Saulsbrook Victor in $42,000 Free For All

Wheels On Fire (Somebeachsomewhere) defeated Saulsbrook Victor in a contested harness racing stretch drive to win the $42,000 Free For All Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Apr. 8).

Wheels On Fire grabbed the lead first for Doug McNair and carried it through the quarter in :27.4. Saulsbrook Victor (Austin Sorrie) then circled him from the pocket and took over in the second quarter.

Saulsbrook Victor led the field to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:25.4 with all horses single-file. The leader appeared infallible into deep-stretch, but Wheels On Fire kicked in approaching the finish and surged by Saulsbrook Victor to prevail in 1:52.

Saulsbrook Victor held second over an on-rushing Nautical Hanover (Sylvain Filion).

WHEELS ON FIRE REPLAY

Wheels On Fire achieved millionaire status four starts back in his most recent top-level win. He has since lost one Free For All to So Much More and his previous two to Saulsbrook Victor. The Richard Moreau-trained gelding has earned $1,056,758 in 140 starts and has won 47 times. Brad Grant of Milton owns the eight-year-old.

Also on the card, Momas Son Byrne (Sunshine Beach) won the Preferred-2 Pace. Jonathan Drury teamed the five-year-old in a coast-to-coast victory clocked in 1:50.1. He was a length clear of place finisher Commanding Officer (James MacDonald). Century Heinikin (McNair) and Highlandbeachlover (Louis-Philippe Roy) dead-heated for third.

MOMAS SON BYRNE REPLAY

Momas Son Byrne is now 13-for-46 lifetime. He finished third in the New Holland Pacing Series final on Apr. 1. Carmen Auciello trains the five-year-old, who has career earnings of $143,045, for Daniel Sarafian of Unionville.

Woodbine Mohawk Park is set to race next on Monday, Apr. 10.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink