Ontario stars repeat in Graduate

Ontario harness racing elites Adare Castle (Muscle Mass) and Silver Label (Bettors Delight) both went back-to-back in the Ontario-sired Graduate Series third leg at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday (Apr. 28).

Adare Castle was up first in the trotting division. The James MacDonald-driven mare battled with Mischievous Rose (Louis-Philippe Roy) throughout the final quarter and put her away in deep-stretch to maintain a perfect record on the season with a time of 1:55.2. Mischievous Rose was second by a half-length. Safe Conduct (Chris Christoforou) finished third.

ADARE CASTLE REPLAY

Adare Castle is undefeated through three starts this year, all in the Ontario-sired Graduate Series. Mark Etsell trains the four-year-old, 2022’s Three-year-old Trotting Filly of the Year, and co-owns her with Robert Newton, Graham Hopkins, and Peter Porter. The mare is now 17-for-25 and has earned $1,192,191.

Silver Label was tested late by Intothemysticmoon (Phil Hudon), but the former made it home to score in the pacing mare division in 1:52.3. After taking the lead at the quarter, Silver Label and MacDonald cut softer middle splits and held off Intothemysticmoon to take the third leg. The latter missed by a neck. Got The Gold (Roy) came home third.

SILVER LABEL REPLAY

Silver Label is now two-for-three in the Ontario-sired Graduate Series, having taken the last two legs. The Millar Farms homebred mare has 14 wins in 25 lifetime starts and $866,864 in the coffers. Nick Gallucci conditions the four-year-old.

The Ontario-sired Graduate Series for four-year-olds will conclude on May 6 with three $75,000 finals. The open pacers will wrap up their preliminary legs during the next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, Apr. 29.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink