Venerable jogs in $392,000 Peaceful Way

It was as easy as wins come for Venerable in the $392,000 Peaceful Way Trot Final, as the undefeated Walner filly cruised to her sixth straight harness racing victory on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Regular driver Dave Miller found her the three-hole from post four but had no plans on keeping it; he ordered the filly to motor to the front just after competing the first quarter mile in :28.1. She settled into command quickly and took her rivals to the half in :57.3.

Delilah Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) attacked first-over from fourth nearing three-quarters in 1:26, but Venerable was never threatened and brushed that rival off as she moved through the final turn. Venerable blasted away from rivals in the stretch, opening up a five-length lead with no effort needed from Miller and cruising to a 1:54.3 victory.

Adare Castle reduced the margin in the stretch and finished second by two lengths. Peyton Hanover (Doug McNair) was another five and a half lengths back in third. The winner paid $2.40 as the heavy favourite

“She’s a professional, she’s really easy to get along with,” Miller said. “She does her job and she’s been doing it very well. I got her away from the gate and when I moved her she got to the lead and relaxed. I spoke to her halfway around the last turn and as soon as I did, she just picked it right up. Into the stretch, I just kept talking to her.

“She was a bit excited (in the post parade) she knows what she’s here to do. I got her to the outside and got her settled down tonight, but she sees the starting gate, she’s ready to go, and she’s all business.”

VENERABLE REPLAY

Venerable is now six-for-six in her two-year-old year. She also won the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship and the Jim Doherty Memorial. Nifty Norman trains her for David Mc Duffee of Rye, Melvin Hartman of Ottawa, Paul Bordogna of Fair Lawn, and Steven Arnold of Purchase.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink