Woodbine Mohawk Park: Adare Castle reigns in Miss Versatility Series

Woodbine Mohawk Park regular Adare Castle downed a field of mostly invaders from south of the border in winning the C$52,200 Miss Versatility Series leg for trotting mares on Saturday night in 1:52.

Adare Castle made an easy lead from the outside post six and chopped out fractions of 27, 56 3/5, and 1:24 4/5 with 61-1 shot Swans Eye (Doug McNair) in the pocket and Raised By Lindy (Yannick Gingras) a menacing presence from first-over coming to three-quarters.

Through the stretch Adare Castle dug in determinedly to fend off Raised By Lindy, and although Swans Eye had some late trot after tipping out, it wasn't enough as Adare Castle prevailed by half a length. Raised By Lindy held third over a fast-finishing Warrawee Xenia (Bob McClure).

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"She's a special horse. I think maybe one of the quietest almost $1.3 million a horse can make. She just goes out there and does her business and finds her way to the winner's circle almost every time she races," said MacDonald. "She's amazing."

Trainer Mark Etsell also co-owns Adare Castle, a daughter of Muscle Mass, with partners Robert Newton, Graham Hopkins, and Peter Porter. She has compiled a record of 19-6-1 from 28 lifetime starts, pushed her bankroll to C$1,264,861, and paid $5.00 to win as the 3-2 favorite.