Woodbine Mohawk Park: Boadicea comes through in opening night feature
A spectator-free Woodbine Mohawk Park played host to its first card of live racing in 78-days on Friday evening.
Saskatoon, a 4-year-old pacing mare, was the first horse to visit the winner’s circle since March 19, scoring a mild 7-1 upset in the evening's first race for driver Doug McNair and trainer Carmen Auciello.
The evening's action consisted of 10 races, with the $32,000 Mares Preferred Pace headlining the card.
Last year's Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final champion Boadicea came through in her 4-year-old debut with a stunning 1:50 victory in the feature race. Sylvain Filion guided the Bill Budd trainee to front-stepping victory, which included a powerful 26 2/5 final-quarter.
Early-season standout So Much More rallied to grab second, while Sunny Dee was third in her 2020 debut.
Boadicea won eight of 14 starts and made $417,652 last season for owners C E Lawrence Stable Inc. and G A Lawrence Stable Inc. Her 2020 debut victory gives her 12 for her career. She paid $9 to win.
Friday's card also saw another former OSS star secure a milestone victory.
Five-year-old pacing mare Kendall Seelster went coast-to-coast in 1:51 4/5 to win the evening's $26,000 seventh race. The victory pushed her over $1 million in career earnings for owners 1187422 Ontario Inc.
Kendall Seelster is trained by Rod Boyd and was driven to her 25th career victory by Robert Shepherd. She paid $4.70 to win.
Driver Sylvain Filion led the way among reinsmen with three wins on the card. Trainer Bob McIntosh led all conditioners with a pair of wins from 3-year-old pacing fillies Perfect Storm ($3.80) and Sex Appeal ($6.70).
Live racing continues Saturday night with a Jackpot Hi-5 mandatory payout the marquee event. The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover is $236,338.67 heading into the mandatory payout, which will be held on the evening’s final race (Race 10). Post time is 7:10 p.m.
-edited release (Woodbine)