Warrawee Vital equals Mohawk Park record

Warrawee Vital (Captaintreacherous) tied Always B Miki as the fastest harness racing stallion in Woodbine Mohawk Park history as he won the track’s $33,000 Open Handicap on Saturday (Jul. 30).

Louis-Philippe Roy pulled the horse out of fourth just after the quarter in :25.3 and sent him forward-stepping to the front. He took command while hitting the half in :52.4 and poured it on into the final turn, going to three-quarters in 1:19.1.

Five lengths clear turning for the payoff, the stallion was racing the clock. Warrawee Vital came home under urging from Trevor Henry and stopped the timer in 1:57.1. Wheels On Fire (Doug McNair) bridged the gap to two-and-a-quarter lengths as he finished second. American History (Sylvain Filion) was third.

The winning time matched the track record for an aged pacing entire that was set by Always B Miki in the 2016 Mohawk Gold Cup. Dr J Hanover, a gelding, holds the overall track record of 1:46.4.

WARRAWEE VITAL REPLAY

Warrawee Vital has won four consecutive races, the last three of which were at Mohawk Park’s top level. The Rob Fellows trainee was won 19 of 42 career starts and has amassed a $528,956 bankroll. Blair Corbeil of Beaumont co-owns with Rockwood-based N. Yolanda Fellows and M&S Racing Stable. His effort matched a lifetime best set in 2020 at the Red Mile.

Later on the card, So Much More (Big Jim) captured the $32,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap in 1:50 for driver Austin Sorrie. She pushed three-wide around the first turn to take front in a :26.2 opening panel, took her foes through the middle half with :54.3 and 1:22.4 quarters, and turned away Shes Nun Bettor N (McNair) and Voelz Delight (Filion) for the victory. The latter two were second and third, respectively.

SO MUCH MORE REPLAY

The Don Beatson-trained So Much More is now 48-for-109 lifetime and brought her earnings total to $983,198 with the win. Beatson, a resident of Granton, co-owns with Kenneth Beatson of Palgrave and Cole England of Exeter. The mare went on a tear of five wins in six starts earlier this season but was winless since May 14 before the Saturday score.

The next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Aug. 1 features Pop-Up Series and Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots action. First post is listed at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink