Mohawk king back for seven in a row

Taurasi (Racing Hill) resumed harness racing action after a month-long break and captured a seventh consecutive $36,000 Preferred at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Mar. 23).

The gelding sat a gapped-off third to the quarter in :26.2 as Saulsbrook Victor (Brett MacDonald) stormed off to a three-length lead. Taurasi was still several lengths back of pocket-sitter Tells On A Roll at the half in :54.2.

Doug McNair shifted Taurasi out behind Tells On A Roll turning for home, and the pair bore down on Saulsbrook Victor through three-quarters in 1:23. The leading trio threw down through the stretch, but Saulsbrook Victor bowed out in the last 1/16th of a mile. Tells On A Roll put up a prolonged fight, but Taurasi pulled clear in deep-stretch to prevail by a length in 1:50.2.

Tells On A Roll finished second. Points North (Jonathan Drury) passed Saulsbrook Victor late for show.

TAURASI REPLAY

Taurasi has now won seven straight at the top level of Canada in a streak that started on Dec. 16. The gelding raced on the Grand Circuit for much of last season but came to Ontario in November, transferring into the Richard Moreau barn. Brad Grant of Milton and Alagna Racing of Jackson co-own the five-year-old who has now won 17 times and has earned $491,321 in 36 career starts.

Syvlain Filion racked up a grand slam of wins on the day and was the card’s most successful driver.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will go dark on Monday, Thursday, and Friday next week and resume racing on Saturday, Mar. 30.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink