Its Academic remains trotting to win

A week after he switched to the pace with meters to go, harness racing horse Its Academic dominated the $34,000 Preferred trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Mar. 1.

The four-year-old trotting stallion got away third, following Oney Hall and Perfetto through a 29.1 first quarter. Its Academic then went first-up on the backstretch and cleared just before the half in 58.1. Driver Doug McNair rated him well to a 1:27.1 third split and the pair cruised home with little asking from McNair.

Its Academic trotted home for a one-length victory in 1:55.2. Perfetto went a taxing first-over trip and stayed on for second. Zig Zag came from last at the half to get third. The winner paid $6.50 to win.

That was Its Academic’s first win on the season in two starts for owner Brad Grant. The other outing seemed like a sure victory coming down the lane, but the son of Uncle Peter went from trot to pace just meters from the line, finished first, and was disqualified. The Richard Moreau trainee is now 14 for 25 lifetime with just shy of $475,000 earned.

Earlier in the card, 13-year-old Cool Rock broke a 56-race losing streak spanning more than two years in the $8,000 claiming class. The gelding by Rocknroll Hanover is approaching 300 lifetime starts and has already surpassed $600,000 in earnings. Bob McClure drove the iron horse to victory for trainer Joshua McKibbin and owner Michael Cecile of Windsor.

Mohawk’s next scheduled race date is Thursday, Mar. 4.

For full race results, click here.