Woodbine Mohawk Park: Its A Love Thing stars in She's A Great Lady final

Its A Love Thing and driver James MacDonald rallied gamely without cover to take Saturday's C$540,000 She's A Great Lady final for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The brilliant daughter of Bettor's Delight was a winner for the third straight time, stopping the timer in 1:50 3/5.

Sent off as the slim 7-5 favorite, Its A Love Thing and MacDonald left the gate strongly but settled along the pylons early as Yannick Gingras, with Caviart Belle, pushed to the front entering the first turn. My Girl EJ and driver David Miller left wide as well and forced the action, taking control at the 26 4/5 opening quarter.

Caviart Belle, the second choice in the field, regained well before the half, and Gingras had the pace under solid rating, hitting the half in 55 1/5. That forced the hand of MacDonald, who sent the Dave Menary-trained Its A Love Thing up without cover, and the pair advanced with a lot of ground to make up in the third quarter.

Caviart Belle met her rival on even-terms following the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters, and the pair matched strides briefly, with Its A Love Thing getting by in mid-stretch. Odds On Platinum was able to angle out at that point, with My Girl EJ bottled up behind the pace-setter. Odds On Platinum challenged on the outside and My Girl EJ rallied between horses late, but neither had the ambition of the winner in the closing yards, finishing second and third, respectively.

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"She's just a great filly," said MacDonald following the win.

Its A Love Thing returned $4.80 to win. A $65,000 yearling purchase in 2022, Its A Love Thing's seasonal bankroll ballooned to C$486K with the victory for owners Eric Good, Thomas Biederman and Josh Green.