Baby Bonita upsets in Niagara Series final

Baby Bonita (Sunshine Beach) picked up her second win of the year in a mild upset harness racing victory in the $31,800 Niagara Series final on the matinee Boxing Day card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Driver of the Year Award finalist James MacDonald executed a final-turn rally from fourth with the filly, hustling her to the lead by headstretch. She kicked clear of the heavily-favoured pacesetter and strode home to score at 7-1 in 1:54. Fromakingtoaqueen (Doug McNair) was second by a length-and-three-quarters. Acrimony (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished third.

BABY BONITA REPLAY

Baby Bonita had won once in 23 previous starts in 2022 but is seven-for-35 overall. She has earned $89,998. William Budd trains her for owner Bruce Davy of Brockville.

The Niagara Series was for three-year-old pacing fillies fitting a non-winners of $60,000 lifetime condition.

In the Valedictory, the male counterpart to the Niagara, Camara Moment (Control The Moment) held on for a tight victory. The gelding moved from fourth to first in the second panel for Paul MacDonell. He dealt with a first-over challenge from Unsung Hero (Roy) on the final turn, put him away in the stretch, and reached the finish in time to survive Jk Miki Mantle’s (James MacDonald) challenge for the victory 1:52. The latter finished second by a neck. Full Disclosure was third.

CAMARA MOMENT REPLAY

Camara Moment, who started his career this year at three, has five tallies in 14 trips to the track. Mickey Sudar of Hagersville, Brenton Harris of Newcastle, and James Borke of Old Bridge now own the gelding that has earned $66,210. Richard Moreau is the trainer.

Jonathan Drury proved the day’s sharpest driver with four wins.

Racing will continue at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink