Mare ends 72-race losing streak in Mohawk debut

La Coeur Chapeau (American Ideal) reached the winner’s circle for the first time in more than two years as she won her Woodbine Mohawk Park harness racing debut on Friday (Dec. 5).

The mare fired out second-fasted to claim the pocket with Tribal Dancer (James MacDonald) on top to the quarter in :28.2. With favourite Goldies Rockin (Trevor Henry) angling out of third, Jody Jamieson pulled the pocket with La Coeur Chapeau and sent her to the front.

Goldies Rockin took over prior to the midway point in :57.3, and Is He Watching (Anthony Haughan) ranged up into striking position at three-quarters in 1:26.3. She struck the front at the eighth pole, but La Coeur Chapeau found her way through the battling pair and surged past them both, rolling clear to a one-length victory in 1:56.3.

Tribal Dancer finished second over the game Is He Watching.

LA COEUR CHAPEAU REPLAY

La Coeur Chapeau visited the winner’s circle for the first time since Jul. 17, 2022, 72 starts ago, when she won at Saratoga. It took nine tries for her to prevail for owner/trainer Gavin Christie, who acquired her in October. The six-year-old has seven career wins and $79,076 in earnings in 131 appearances.

MacDonald and Louis-Philippe Roy both won three races on the night.

The Niagara Series will begin on Woodbine Mohawk Park’s next card, a 12-race program beginning at 7:10 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 6.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink