Wheels On Fire returns to winning ways

2021 O’Brien award winner Wheels On Fire and driver Doug McNair went right to the lead and never looked back as they were able to wire the field in capturing the $36,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday evening.

Racing over a track labeled good, the ninth race feature saw McNair sending Wheels On Fire right out to the early out of the starting gate with Untred (Jody Jamieson) grabbing the two-hold trip.

Past the first quarter in :28.2, Wheels On Fire was already on top by five lengths. With no one making a move, Wheels On Fire cut the mile to the half in :56.4. It was nearing the final turn that the action began to heat up.

Jimmy Freight (Louis-Philippe Roy) had been sitting in third place and started up first-over and that flushed Uhtred to pull out of the pocket to come after Wheels On Fire.

As they passed the three-quarters in 1:25.1, no one was able to gain any ground on Wheels On Fire and McNair urged him home to win by one and one-half lengths in 1:53.4. Uhtred held for second with Jimmy Freight third.

The 6/5 race favorite, Revolt (James MacDonald) never got a real call in the race and finished fourth.

WHEELS ON FIRE REPLAY

For Wheels On Fire, it was his fourth win of the year for the seven-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere. He is trained by Richard Moreau for owner Brad Grant of Milton, ON and paid $7.00 to win.

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink