Lucy Who romps in Harvest Series opener

Lucy Who (Wheeling N Dealin) kicked off the Ontario-sired Harvest Series for three-year-old trotting fillies on Monday (Nov. 13) at Woodbine Mohawk Park with a dominant harness racing performance.

She and Jean Bernard Renaud found no room at the rail and pressed on to the front, taking command after a first quarter of :28.4. Its Sally Deal (Phil Hudon) attempted a brush on the backstretch and was equal with the leader at the midway point in :57.3, but the attacker began to falter approaching the last turn.

With that rival gone, Lucy Who extended her lead to two-and-three-quarter lengths at three-quarters in 1:26.3. Renaud kept her pedal down as she entered the stretch, and the filly raced away to a four-and-three-quarter-length victory in 1:56.4.

Cunning Connie (Tyler Jones) motored late and passed pocket-sitter Lady All Star (Brett MacDonald) for second.

LUCY WHO REPLAY

Lucy Who tallied for the second time this season with the win. The filly started every Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots leg with two thirds and three fourths in the series for trainer Julie Walker. She is now seven-for-23 lifetime with $112,248 in earnings. Murray Bradshaw of Wilsonville owns and bred the sophomore.

Also on the card, four-year-old trotter Esplosione (Kadabra) surpassed a half-million in career earnings with his ninth career victory. The gelding, a two-time Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg winner, braved a parked-out trip from three-eighths for a 1:54.2 victory with Sylvain Filion at the lines. The win also brought him to six digits banked this season. Robert Kyle Fellows trains the gelding for Outofthepark Stable, Hey Tell Stable, Patrick Dillon, and Steve McGill. Esplosione was a Gold competitor at two and three, finished second in the 2022 SBOA Stakes, and third in the Matron in 2021. He is now nine-for-55 lifetime with an earning total of $507,150.

ESPLOSIONE REPLAY

James MacDonald was, once again, the day’s top driver with four wins.

The Ontario-sired Harvest Series for three-year-old trotting fillies will continue on Nov. 20 with the second and final preliminary leg.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will host racing next on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink