Walker wins Mohawk women’s race

Julie Walker, driving Angelo (Custard The Dragon), produced a 24-1 upset in a harness racing contest for women drivers at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Oct. 30).

Walker had the gelding sitting in the four-hole through the first half and held him to the pylons rounding the final turn. As dueling leaders drifted apart down the stretch, Walker pointed Angelo through the seam, and he dashed to the front to score in 1:54. Natasha Day, winner of multiple Women’s Driving Championships, closed with Going Fast for second. Lyons King (Pam Forgie) held third after taking the lead in mid-stretch. Marielle Enberg, Anita Ouellette, Samara Johnson, Maggie Jones, and Britt Kennedy also competed in the event.

JULIE WALKER / ANGELO REPLAY

The win was Walker’s third of the season and 11th in 128 lifetime drives. She drove Angelo a week prior in an amateur drivers’ race, finishing fifth. Herbert Holland trains the four-year-old, a nine-time winner in 39 career outings with $48,548 in earnings. Legacy Racing of Delaware co-owns him with Jacob Penuel and Matthew Catalfamo of Seaford.

Later on the card, Pemberton (Wheeling N Dealin, Trevor Henry) soared late to a 10-1 victory in the Preferred Trot in dramatic fashion. The gelding turned for home fourth-over from sixth, shifted out, and began to soar past horses in deep-stretch. The flying trotter outkicked all rivals and, according to the judges, got up by a nostril over Amigo Volo (Doug McNair) in 1:53.3. Amigo Volo cut the first three fractions and was second. Oney Hall (James MacDonald) finished third.

PEMBERTON REPLAY

Pemberton had missed the board in his three prior starts but won the Preferred-2 in August. The Paul Walker-trained gelding has now won 14 times and has earned $493,819 lifetime for Brenda Walker of Owen Sound and Christine Walker of Tara.

The card also featured three Harvest Series divisions – two for two-year-old pacing fillies, and one for their trotting counterparts. One More Bet (All Bets Off, Sylvain Filion, 1:55.2) took the first pacing division, doubling up in the series. Ontario Sires Stakes Gold winner Ann (Hes Watching, Bob McClure, 1:54.2) went all the way in the second for her third career win. P L Rainbow Dash (Resolve, McClure, 1:58) won her second straight in the series as she captured the race for trotters. The finals for both divisions are set for Monday, Nov. 6.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will continue racing on Thursday, Nov. 2 with 10 races including four more Harvest Series divisions. The freshman colts and geldings of both gaits will contest their second legs.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink