Taurasi strikes back

After a defeat in his arrival last week, Taurasi (Racing Hill) claimed the Woodbine Mohawk Park harness racing pacing crown on Saturday (Dec. 16) as he convincingly won the $36,000 Preferred.

He slotted in behind last week’s winner Livinthebeachlife (Louis-Philippe Roy) to the quarter in :26, and Doug McNair popped him out of the pocket to take over on the backside. Taurasi reached the half in :54.3 and kept a solid tempo to the third station in 1:22.4 with Points North (Sylvain Filion) knocking on the door.

Taurasi took a cushion into the stretch and led by two lengths all the way to the finish, crossing the line to score in 1:49.1.

Livinthebeachlife placed with Emmetts Buddy (Tyler Borth) coming on for third.

TAURASI REPLAY

Taurasi is now 11-for-30 lifetime with earnings of $383,321. The gelding, who spent most of the season on the Grand Circuit, moved to Woodbine Mohawk Park for the winter on Dec. 9. Richard Moreau now trains the four-year-old for Brad Grant of Milton and Alagna Racing of Jackson.

Also on the card was leg two of the Valedictory Series for three-year-old colts and geldings. Come On Artie (Artspeak, Roy) took the first split in 1:53 for his 11th victory of the season. Mufferaw Joe (Filion) and Wry (McNair) came second and third, respectively. It was the winner’s 11th tally of the season for trainer Brett Lester and owner/breeder Diane Sylvestre.

COME ON ARTIE REPLAY

Saulsbrook Ian (Betterthancheddar, McNair) blasted by three rivals in the lane for the second division win in 1:52.3. Gritty (Colin Kelly) edged out Call Me It (Roy) for second. Sauslbrook Ian, trained by Robert Kyle Fellows, is unbeaten in three starts since shipping in from the East Coast. He’s 14-for-27 lifetime with 12 wins this season for owner Red Oak Stables.

SAULSBROOK IAN REPLAY

McNair won four races on the program, leading all drivers.

Racing continues at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Dec. 18 with a card featuring a Preferred Trot.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink