Velvet Stinger sharp in return

Velvet Stinger (Bettors Delight) righted the ship of her four-year-old campaign as she returned to harness racing action after two months off on Friday (Aug. 18) with a victory at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The mare, who won the Simcoe Stakes, Kin Pace and two Ontario Sires Stakes Golds last year, finished no better than seventh in her first five starts this season. Trainer Nick Gallucci laid her up in May after she trailed throughout in her Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup elimination.

On Friday, she was parked-out in midfield and drove on from sixth at the quarter. She cleared for Sylvain Filion just past the half, took a mild breather to three-quarters, and stayed solid to the finish to complete a two-and-a-half-length victory in 1:52.1.

Sunshine Sally (Trevor Henry) finished second. Coz Im Special (Phil Hudon) was third.

VELVET STINGER REPLAY

Velvet Stinger is now nine-for-25 lifetime. The Millar Farms homebred has earned $277,074.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will conclude its raceweek with a huge card on Saturday, Aug. 18. One of three Gold divisions will kick off the racing at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The card will include two eliminations for the Peaceful Way and three for the William Wellwood Memorial. The final of the latter confers an automatic spot in the Mohawk Million to the winner.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink