Pemberton wins Preferred in his return

Pemberton (Wheeling N Dealin) made his first start in well over three months at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Mar. 4) and he was the best in the field of six harness racers in the Preferred 2 Trot.

Jean-Bernard Renaud pushed the seven-year-old gelding right off the gate and he took the lead before hitting the first turn. He was half-length out in front and posted a 27.1 opening quarter. With no confrontation looming, Pemberton was able to go 30 seconds over the second panel which made the half-mile time 57.1. This also allowed the field to tighten up as they quickly approached the big turn home. Regardless, no one was able to keep up to Pemberton he won-handedly by a length. He trotted the mile in 1:53.4.

The real battle was for second and Locatelli (Sylvain Filion) just beat out Patriarch Hanover (Doug McNair) in a tight finish.

PEMBERTON REPLAY

Pemberton making his first start since Dec. 18 and this is his first win since Oct. 30. Julie Walker trains the Preferred Trot contender.

A pair of drivers also picked up a hat trick on the card. Doug McNair wins the first leg of the Pop-Series in the fourth race with No Time At All (Big Jim). McNair would revisit the winner’s circle in the next race with the five-year-old son of Trixton, Gigondas. McNair would add a win later in another leg of the Pop-up Series with Savoir Duharas (Sunshine Beach).

Louis-Phillip Roy was other the reinsman to win three on the night. He won back-to-back races with Isitfirdayyet (No Pan Intended) and Walkonthemoon (Archangel). He would also win the last race on the program with Hapuna Beach (Sunshine Beach).

Racing resumes at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 7:10 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink