Hp Mama B breaks losing streak

O’Brien Award-nominated mare Hp Mama B (Royalty For Life) notched her first harness racing win of the season after 14 straight losses at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Aug. 26).

Louis-Philippe Roy utilized the mare’s speed, floating her out from post seven to take the front at the quarter in :27.

She went without challenge to the half in :55.1 and gave her foes no opportunity to mount one on the turn, opening up by three-and-a-quarter lengths by three-quarters in 1:52.2. Hp Mama B maintained that cushion into mid-stretch and trotted home to victory in 1:52.2.

Sparks Fly (Ed Hensley) made marginal gains late and was second by two-and-a-quarter lengths. New Rules (Trevor Henry) motored home from the backfield and finished a close third.

HP MAMA B REPLAY

Hp Mama B, a two-time O’Brien Award finalist, has now won 23 of 87 career starts and has earned $839,057. She finished third in the Breeders Crown last year but has hit the board three times in 14 outings in 2024. Her last win came in her penultimate start of 2023. Benoit Baillargeon trains the six-year-old for Guylaine Picard of Guelph and Celine Paquin of Orford.

The card also saw a victory by former Ontario Sires Stakes champion Pemberton (Wheeling N Dealin, Bob McClure). The gelding traveled in the three-hole until the top of the stretch, when he slid out, chased down loose leader Pretender (James MacDonald), and rocketed by him en route to a four-and-a-quarter-length win in 1:52. Distance Learning (Tyler Borth) and Ricky Resolve (Jonathan Drury) also caught the pacesetter, finishing second and third, respectively.

PEMBERTON REPLAY

Pemberton is now four-for-11 this season for trainer Paul Walker. The gelding, who raced at the Preferred level for much of the year, has won two of his past three since dropping into the conditioned ranks. The seven-year-old gelding has earned $579,299 and won 18 times in 50 career appearances for Brenda and Christine Walker.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will host its next card on Tuesday, Aug. 27. First post is set for 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink