Woodbine Mohawk Park: Dorsoduro Hanover stuns favorites in Canadian Pacing Derby

Dorsoduro Hanover and driver James MacDonald swept the field in the stretch to post a 43-1 shocker in Saturday’s C$540,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The Derby set up as a great race on paper, and the drivers saw to it early, contesting the opening quarter bitterly as Bettor's Wish, from the inside, battled with Backstreet Shadow and American History. American History crossed over to the top in 25 1/5, and no sooner had he arrived there, had Paul MacDonell sent Bettor's Wish on a second move to the front.

MacDonell had to use Bettor's Wish, and they arrived at the half in 52 4/5 but were soon joined again as Backstreet Shadow and Yannick Gingras went on the offensive. The outer flow developed nicely for favorite Century Farroh, who rode second-over cover, followed by Dancin Lou third-over and Sintra in fourth-over position.

Bettor's Wish still held down the lead through three-quarters in 1:21 1/5, but it was clear turning home he wouldn't last. Century Farroh appeared to have the best chance when he swept wide and methodically wore down the leaders, but MacDonald and Dorsoduro Hanover had gone airborne, exploding off a fifth-over trip and rolling past the leaders as if they had all been chained to the fence. Dorsoduro Hanover stopped the clock in 1:48 4/5 in winning for the first time in nine starts in 2020, and in the process gave MacDonald his second straight Canadian Pacing Derby triumph in upset fashion, having driven 34-1 Courtly Choice to last year's prize. Dancin Lou managed to get his nose in front of Century Farroh for the place spot, with Sintra finishing fourth and This Is The Plan fifth.

For MacDonald, the victory was made that much sweeter considering just a few weeks ago he was injured in a racing accident and not expected to return for some time.

"I'm blessed to be back in the winner's circle instead of sitting on my couch watching it from home," said MacDonald.

Ron Burke trains Dorsoduro Hanover for the Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi and Wingfield Bros. Dorsoduro Hanover returned $88 for a $2 win bet.

In the best stretch drive of the night, Points North locked horns with 3-5 favorite Western Joe throughout the entire stretch drive and just nipped that one on the wire for driver Jonathan Drury in the C$65,000 Canadian Pacing Derby consolation. Points North scored in 1:50 2/5 for trainer Carmine Auciello as an 11-1 proposition.