ISS champ crushes mares for first Preferred win

Indiana Sires Stakes champion Need To Breathe (Riggins) earned her first Preferred-level harness racing win in a victory in the Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday (Dec. 30).

The sophomore, in her seventh start since moving from Indiana to Ontario, hustled two-wide into the first turn after being out-left off the car and took the lead just before completing the quarter in :27.3. Cullen took a hold to the half in :57.3, indulging the filly on her name with a second-quarter breather on the sloppy surface.

Need To Breathe took off in the third panel, opening up to the three-quarter-mile marker in 1:25.1, and soared home to a four-and-a-half-length score in 1:53.

Sporty Tori (Bob McClure) hustled home for second. Dabarndawgswatchin (Trevor Henry) got up for third in a blanket finish.

NEED TO BREATHE REPLAY

Need To Breathe raced at Hoosier Park until A1stable, Paul Sanders, and Blair Kidd combined to purchase the filly in October. She has won nine times and has earned $270,125 in 33 starts to date. The Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final victory on Oct. 14 is her crowning achievement. Jodie Cullen trains the filly.

The Preferred pacers highlight Saturday action at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the track’s New Year’s Eve card. Racing will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink