Moreau reaches 7,000 wins

Harness racing trainer Richard Moreau, Canada’s 10-time Trainer of the Year, recorded his 7,000th win on Saturday (Dec. 23) at Woodbine Mohawk Park as Taurasi (Racing Hill) captured the $36,000 Preferred.

Taurasi fired off the wings and into the fog under direction from Doug McNair and was in control at the quarter in :27. He maintained a solid tempo over the sloppy track with a half-mile in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:24 under no pressure.

His nearest rivals could make no inroads as they came into the stretch, and Taurasi’s top gear held the closers at bay to complete the victory in 1:51 on a track rated two seconds slow.

Saulsbrook Victor (Brett MacDonald) took second over Covered Bridge (James MacDonald).

TAURASI / RICHARD MOREAU MILESTONE REPLAY

The win with Taurasi was Moreau’s third of the night. The trainer’s 7,000th win came in his 34,313th career start, giving him a lifetime strike rate of 20.4 per cent. He has been recognized as Canada’s Trainer of the Year for the last 10 years straight and has not won fewer than 200 races in a season since 2011.

Taurasi, who raced on the Grand Circuit for much of the season, came into Moreau’s hands at the start of the month. The gelding relocated from the Tony Alagna barn and has now won back-to-back Preferreds at Mohawk Park. Brad Grant of Milton co-owns him with Alagna Racing of Jackson. Taurasi, a four-year-old, is now 12-for-31 lifetime with $401,321 in earnings.

Moreau finished the night with four victories. Doug McNair, who drove two of his winners, took five on the card.

Woodbine Mohawk Park returns on Boxing Day with a special matinee card. It will begin at 1:00 p.m. EST and feature the finals of the Niagara Series and Valedictory Series, and a $36,000 Preferred.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink