Wheels On Fire back to best at Mohawk

After 20 starts without a preferred-level win, Wheels On Fire (Somebeachsomewhere) defeated free-for-all pacing harness racing rivals in the $34,000 Preferred 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Oct. 8).

He flew forward for a lead that was made brief by American History (Sylvain Filion), who swung by him on the first turn to hit the top by the quarter in :26.4. Doug McNair kept Wheels On Fire waiting in the pocket through :54.3 and 1:21.1 middle panels.

Wheels On Fire, glued to the inside, got a golden lane as American History drifted out in the stretch. The pocket-sitter took full advantage and muscled through to take the victory in 1:49.1.

Codename Cigar Box (Travis Cullen) and Mappos Lion (Paul MacDonell) got up for second and third, respectively.

WHEELS ON FIRE REPLAY

It was Wheels On Fire’s 41st career win in 125 outings. The Richard Moreau trainee has earned $907,338 to date. Brad Grant owns the seven-year-old who was the king of the Mohawk Park top level last season.

Also on the card, Graduate Series division winner Carbine (Somebeachsomewhere) won his second race in a row at the conditioned level. The four-year-old stallion, owned by Let It Ride Stables, Bottom Line Racing and Howard Taylor, shipped to Ontario in late September and dropped to the conditioned level after a Preferred-2 loss. Tony Alagna trains the horse, a 12-time winner in 26 starts who has earned $169,882.

Woodbine Mohawk Park resumes racing on Monday, Oct. 10. A $58,000 Open Handicap Trot highlights the 11-race card that is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink