R Liza beats Willys Home Run again

MILTON, May 27, 2024 – R Liza (Muscle Mass) got the better of Willys Home Run again to take Monday’s (May 27) lone Ontario Sires Stakes Gold harness racing division at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The first OSS Gold event of the season for three-year-old trotting fillies attracted eight entrants for a $140,000 battle.

Defending champion Willys Home Run headlined the field Monday, coming in undefeated in Gold events after winning all five of last year’s before a victory in the season finale Super Final. The reigning OSS champ was looking for revenge after R Liza won by a head in the SBOA Final on May 11.

Willys Home Run went out to the lead and did all the roadwork on Monday evening. R Liza and driver Jody Jamieson got away right behind the leader and sat in that spot until early in the stretch drive. Willys Home Run cut out fractions of :27, :56.1 and 1:25.4 to set up the stretch duel.

R Liza edged ahead of Willys Home Run with a sixteenth of a mile to go and hit the wire first in 1:54.3. Willys Home Run had to settle for second again, this time by three-quarters of a length.

P L Rainbow Dash got up to the leaders late to finish third by only a length and a quarter.

R LIZA REPLAY

R Liza is now a perfect three for three to start her sophomore season for trainer Susie Kerwood. The filly won four of eight starts last season, earning just over $110,000.

The latest victory for R Liza gives her already $151,700 in earnings this season for owners M And L of Delaware and Alabama Harness Associates.

The next OSS Gold leg for three-year-old trotting fillies will take place on June 17 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

To read about the night’s Preferred-Handicap Trot, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mark McKelvie, for Woodbine Entertainment