Mohawk concludes record season

MILTON, December 31, 2022 – As the final hours and minutes ticked away for 2022, Woodbine Mohawk Park contested its final race card of another successful live harness racing season on Saturday night (Dec. 31).

Woodbine announced earlier in December that all-sources wagering for 2022 at Woodbine Mohawk Park had surpassed $400 million, blowing by the previous high of $364 million in 2019.

Saturday’s season finale card featured 10 races, including a $34,000 Preferred Pace.

Saulsbrook Victor just got up the inside of co-favourite So Much More in the final strides to secure his first Woodbine Preferred victory in 1:52. Austin Sorrie guided the four-year-old to victory for trainer Ron MacDonald and owner Brett MacDonald. Saturday’s score was the sixth win in 38 starts this season and pushed his seasonal earnings over $150,000.

The Preferred win was one of three for driver Sorrie on Saturday.

The titles of leading driver, trainer and owner were well wrapped up ahead of Saturday’s season finale. ​

Despite being held off the board Saturday, reinsman James MacDonald finished his incredible 2022 season as the top driver with 400 wins. MacDonald became just the fifth driver in Woodbine Entertainment history to win 400 or more races in a single year.

The last driver to surpass 400 wins in a year was James’ brother, Mark MacDonald, who won 404 in 2006. Prior to the MacDonald brothers, Randy Waples (430 in 2001), Chris Christoforou (407 in 2000) and Doug Brown (416 in 1995 and 412 in 1994) were the only other drivers to accomplish the feat.

The 2022 Woodbine driving title is the second consecutive for James MacDonald.

Trainer Richard Moreau and owner Brad Grant once again led in victories for their respective divisions. Moreau now has seven consecutive Woodbine leading trainer titles and 11 overall for his career. Grant also picks up his seventh straight Woodbine leading owner title.

MacDonald, Moreau and Grant will receive their awards on Monday evening.

A full breakdown of the 2022 season at Woodbine Mohawk Park will be released next week.

The 2023 live racing season at Woodbine Mohawk Park begins Monday evening (January 2). Post time is 7 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mark McKelvie, for Woodbine Entertainment