Woodbine Mohawk Park: Balance shines brightly in Whenuwishuponastar final

Balance out-sprinted rivals to score a seven length victory in Tuesday's Whenuwishuponastar Series final at Woodbine Mohawk Park. A field of seven 2-year-old pacing fillies squared off in the C$76,500 championship of the three-week event.

Making her first appearance since the opening leg and her second career start overall, Balance, a daughter of Bettor's Delight, delivered a strong maiden-breaking performance as the 1-2 favorite for driver James MacDonald and trainer Nancy Takter.

The opening quarter of the race saw a three-horse battle, with Beyond The Sea and I Love Ongait side-by-side, while Balance was right behind and ready to brush around to the lead in the second quarter. After a 27 second opener, Balance charged to the top and led through a snappy half-mile clocking of 55 1/5.

Facing no pressure in the third quarter, Balance and MacDonald got a 30 second breather to set up a final quarter sprint. The Takter trainee unleashed a strong burst to leave her rivals behind, pacing home in 28 1/5 to secure the 1:53 1/5 victory. Preliminary leg winners One Last Bet and I Love Ongait finished second and third, respectively.

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"That's a big half for 2-year-olds this time of the year; it's only her second lifetime start," said MacDonald of the early fractions. "(I Love Ongait) was on my back, and I knew if I was going to last I needed to sneak a breather in somewhere, but last turn I tapped the brakes and she swelled up, so she's just a really nice filly and a real pro."

MacDonald noted the change in demeanor for Balance on Tuesday night compared to her career debut.

"It was her first week here, and she was looking at everything the whole mile, even in post parade I couldn't really get her on the bit or paying attention to what I wanted her to do, but that's why Nancy (Takter) is Nancy. She brought her today, and she was just a pro. She knew exactly what she had to do, and the horse was terrific.”

Balance is the ninth foal out of West Of L A, the dam of million dollar winners Somewhere In L A and L A Delight and C$600,000-plus winner Sunny Dee. The Whenuwishuponastar victory gives Balance C$43,250 earned for owners Diamond Creek Racing.

The Takter-trained Balance is eligible to all of Woodbine Mohawk Park's upcoming Grand Circuit events.

A $2 win ticket on Balance returned $3.10.

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--