Royal Regatta wins seventh straight at Mohawk

Royal Regatta (Mcardle) earned his seventh consecutive harness racing victory at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Apr. 15) in a photo finish.

He cut the mile, dictating :27.2, :57.3, and 1:26.4 fractions under orders from James MacDonald. Mach Art In Motion (Louis-Philippe Roy) held a first-over advance into mid-stretch before bowing out, when Lets Get Rocked (Tyler Borth) motored up the pylons from the pocket. Lets Get Rocked gained rapidly and brought the race down to the line, but Royal Regatta hung on by a nose to win in 1:54.3. Highland Beach Boy (Bob McClure) went from last to third.

ROYAL REGATTA REPLAY

Royal Regatta reached the $300,000 earnings milestone with the win, his 37th lifetime. It was the first time in six races that he wasn’t claimed; he will remain with trainer Clifford McGuire and owner Nancy McGuire until at least next week. The nine-year-old will then aim to win his eighth straight dash.

Sweet Deisel (Sweet Lou) also extended his win streak on the card, taking a sixth straight victory in his 100th lifetime start. The Brett Lester-trained gelding crossed the line a length-and-a-half winner in 1:50.1 with Roy in the bike. Sweet Deisel won for the 27th time and upped his earnings to $297,825. He was claimed by Legacy Racing of DE of Seaford in the win from Mario Villani of North York.

SWEET DEISEL REPLAY

MacDonald recorded a grand slam on the night.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will continue racing on Thursday, Apr. 18 at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink