Prospect Series champ scores in Niagara

Yoda Queen (All Bets Off) declared her intent to keep her perfect record in harness racing stake series alive with a lifetime-best performance in the second round of the Niagara Series on Friday (Dec. 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Away last of five, she trailed through :28 and :57.2 first-half splits. The filly, in her second lifetime Woodbine Mohawk Park appearance, took the first-over plunge and worked her way forward on the backstretch.

She fought on for Andy Moore to three-quarters in 1:25.4 and chipped away at persistent pacesetter Honey Love (Bob McClure) in the stretch. Yoda Queen forced her way past in the final eighth of a mile and extended the margin to two lengths as she closed out the win in 1:53.4.

Honey Love came home second, followed by Premier Delight (Doug McNair).

YODA QUEEN REPLAY

Yoda Queen is nine-for-21 this season so far. Her 80-1 upset in the City of London Final in May has been the highlight so far, but she also captured the Prospect Series Final in September. Her 1:53.4 mile on Friday lowered her mark by four-fifths-of-a-second. Jamie Doig trains and owns the filly that has now earned $71,078 in 26 lifetime starts for him.

Alabama Hannah (Huntsville, Louis-Philippe Roy) took the second division, putting her in position for sweep of the series for three-year-old pacing fillies. She led all horses on the track after taking over past the quarter — Firstofanera (Tyler Borth) passed the field while in the safety lane while breaking. Alabama Hannah led into the lane and resisted Voom Voom (McClure) to win in 1:54.4. True That (Sylvain Filion) was third.

ALABAMA HANNAH REPLAY

Alabama Hannah moved to Ontario and the Meg Crone barn in November. She has gone back-to-back in the Niagara Series preliminary rounds after losing her first two Woodbine Mohawk Park starts and is now five-for-11 on the year. The filly has won six times and earned $81,698 in 19 lifetime tried for owner Jeffrey Nanna of Utica.

The $30,000A final is set for Tuesday, Dec. 6 on the matinee card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The Valedictory Series second leg and a $36,000 Preferred headline the Saturday, Dec. 16 card at the track. The first of 11 races is set for 7:10 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink