So Much More defeats elite male pacers

2022 O’Brien Award winner So Much More (Big Jim) took the throne of Canada’s top open pacer as the harness racing mare won the $48,000 Free For All at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Feb. 25).

She travelled through the first half in the three-hole with Sandbetweenmytoes (Trevor Henry) on top putting up :26.3 and :53.4 panels. Saulsbrook Victor (Austin Sorrie) popped the pocket to attack the leader turning for home and So Much More followed suit

Saulsbrook Victor stepped to the lead before hitting three-quarters in 1:21.2, with So Much More now on his flank, and the mare began knocking on the door as they headed for home. So Much More put her nose in front at the eighth pole and finished the job in 1:49.3.

Wheels On Fire (Louis-Philippe Roy) hustled home for second. Saulsbrook Victor finished third.

SO MUCH MORE REPLAY

So Much More has now won 59 of her 130 lifetimes starts and has earned $1,285,235. The mare was the Older Pacing Mare of the Year at the 2022 O’Brien Awards. Don Beatson trains the seven-year-old and owns her in partnership with Ken Beatson of Palgrave and Cole England of Exeter.

The win for MacDonald was one of his six-tally haul on the evening. Canada’s 2022 Keith Waples Driver of the Year steered to victory Southwind Patron (Betting Line, 1:58.2), American History (American Ideal, 1:50.2), The Will To Play (Shadow Play, 1:53.3), So Much More, Cadillac Bayama (Sunshine Beach, 1:52.1), and Jj Xavier (Tobago Cays, 1:52.1). He is currently second in the drivers’ standings, two wins behind fellow O’Brien Award nominee McNair, who has 46 wins to date.

Following the Saturday culmination of the raceweek, action returns to Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink