The Miss Versatility series for harness racing older mare trotters begins on Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park as the eighth race. The first leg drew a field of nine racing for a purse of $50,000 (CAD).
Making her seasonal debut is Emoticon Hanover, who had a remarkable season in 2017 while winning the Miss Versatility final, the Breeders Crown and the Joie De Vie in world record time of 1:50.2 for owner Serge Godin's Determination Stable and trainer Luc Blais. She's had three conditioning qualifiers, the most recent a 1:56.1 win over the Campbellville oval. James MacDonald will drive the career winner of over $1.25 million from post position #7 on Monday.
The main rival in Monday's race is a familiar one in the venerable Caprice Hill (PP#2 Doug McNair). The two mares battled on several occasions last year, in fact Caprice was at the flank of Emoticon while beaten less than a length in the Breeders Crown. She's earned nearly $1.5 million in her career for owner Tom Hill while residing in the Tony Alagna barn.
Here's the field and a program is available on the web.
8 — Trot, purse $50,000
MISS VERSATILITY – 1ST LEG – FILLIES & MARES.
Post time: 09:50 P.M.
1 Highland Top Hill by Muscle Hill
2 Caprice Hill by Kadabra
3 Dream Together by Muscle Hill
4 Pink Pistol by Cantab Hall
5 Its Hallright by Cantab Hall
6 P L Jill by Kadabra
7 Emoticon Hanover by Kadabra
8 Southwind Tesla by Chapter Seven
9 The Erm by Cantab Hall
2 Caprice Hill by Kadabra
3 Dream Together by Muscle Hill
4 Pink Pistol by Cantab Hall
5 Its Hallright by Cantab Hall
6 P L Jill by Kadabra
7 Emoticon Hanover by Kadabra
8 Southwind Tesla by Chapter Seven
9 The Erm by Cantab Hall
Nick Salvi