Fourth straight for Grassroots-contending rookie

Cousin Halifax (Trixton), who finished third in his division’s Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots standings, matched his lifetime mark in his fourth straight harness racing win on Friday (Sep. 20) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Trevor Henry sent the gelding to the top, cutting a :28.3 first panel and a :58.2 half. Wendell Blue Chip (Doug McNair) brought pressure from third as the field came around the far turn, and he pulled within a half-length at three-quarters in 1:28.3. Wendell Blue Chip chipped away at the leader, taking over in mid-stretch, but Cousin Halifax battled back and put him away late to seal the victory in 1:56. Wendell Blue Chip was three-quarters-of-a-length short. Mr Pasadena (Tyler Jones) finished third.

COUSIN HALIFAX REPLAY

Cousin Halifax is now four-for-six in his debut season with two place finishes. He has won a pair of Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots legs and has earned $46,000 for W. J. Donovan of Delray Beach. Dave Menary conditions the freshman, who is likely headed to the Grassroots Final next week..

James MacDonald put forth another top driving performance, winning half of the card’s 10 dashes. He has won 342 races this season and is striking at a 22.1 per cent rate through 1,543 starts.

The next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park is its biggest of the year, featuring the Metro Pace and Mohawk Million, both worth $1 million, and several Grand Circuit events on the undercard. First post is set for 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink