Photo finish camera needed in $42,600 final

It took the photo finish camera to declare the harness racing winner of the $42,600 final of the Ontario Girls Pacing Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park Thursday evening (March 10).

When the official light was flashed by the judges, it was Just Daisy with a tough, grind-it-out closing half mile to win by a nose over Awesome Hill.

The 6^th race feature for Ontario-sired four-year-old mares saw Village Jade and driver Sylvain Filion out leaving race favorite Awesome Hill (Doug McNair) to the early lead.

Once past the opening quarter mile in :28.2, McNair pulled the pocket and sent Awesome Hill to the front. They cut the mile to the half in :58.1 and that was when the action began.

In the backstretch, driver Chris Christoforou sent Just Daisy first-over, giving great live second-over cover to Share The Moment (Travis Cullen). As they went by the three-quarters in 1:26.3, Just Daisy was neck and neck for the lead against Awesome Hill.

Down the stretch the two battled and it seemed as if Awesome Hill had the advantage coming to the wire, but it was Just Daisy who came on late to nip Awesome Hill at the wire. Village Jade was third.

JUST DAISY REPLAY

A four-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach, it was the first win in three starts this year for Just Daisy. She is owned and trained by Terry Fritz of Walkerton, ON and paid $4.10 to win as the second choice in the race.

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink