42-1 shot circles field at Mohawk

Toronto (Always B Miki) produced a pari-mutuel stumper as the longest shot on the board went from last to first for an upset harness racing victory at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Dec. 30).

Assigned post nine, Ed Hensley dropped the gelding straight to the back as the field headed into the first turn. Tignanello (Bob McClure) fired away and took the field to the quarter in :26.3 but broke stride and drifted out just before halfway, handing the lead to Mach Impact (Tyler Jones) at the half in :56.2.

Toronto shifted out and was fifth in line on the outside on the final turn until he shifted out three-wide and then once more to race four-high through three-quarters in 1:25.1. He still had every rival to pass at the top of the stretch but began to fly at the eighth pole. Acapulco Sunburn (James MacDonald), who forged to the front in mid-stretch, could only watch as Toronto soared by him to score in 1:55.

Acapulco Sunburn was second over Double Down Duke (Jonathan Drury).

TORONTO REPLAY

Toronto finished 10th upon stepping up to the same class a week ago and had earned a cheque in one of four starts before Monday’s win. The gelding is three-for-39 this season and 16-for-106 lifetime with $246,841 in earnings. Ashleigh Hensley trains the six-year-old and co-owns him with Ed Hensley.

It was the final card of the season at Woodbine Mohawk Park. James MacDonald, with his third straight 400-win season at the track, won the driving title. The track acknowledged him and leading owner Millar Farms with a presentation on Dec. 21.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will kick off its 2025 season on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink