Woodbine Mohawk Park: Musical Rhythm matches track record

Musical Rhythm extended his win streak to six in-a-row with a track record-equaling mile of 1:50 4/5 on Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The Ben Baillargeon-trained 7-year-old bested five rivals in the $34,000 Preferred Trot to match the record set by Mister Herbie in the 2012 Maple Leaf Trot.

Musical Rhythm and driver Mario Baillargeon left out from post three and got away second behind stablemate Bautista, who cut an opening quarter of 26 4/5. B Yoyo moved up from third to first in the backstretch and posted a sizzling half of 54 4/5.

The tempo didn’t let up in the third quarter, as Musical Rhythm rushed to the top from third and reached the three-quarters in 1:22 4/5, carrying a lead of over two lengths in the lane.

Musical Rhythm completed his mile with a 28 second final quarter and dug in to hold off a late push from Free Willy Hanover to win by half a length. Eleven-year-old Catch The Dream trotted the fastest final quarter of 27 2/5 to finish third, while Monopoly was fourth.

The track record-equaling performance gives Musical Rhythm seven wins in 15 starts this season. The Baillargeon trainee is now a 36-time winner in his career. A bankroll of C$156,060 in 2019 for owners Santo & Nunzio Vena, Claude Hamel, and Ben Baillargeon has brought Musical Rhythm’s career earnings to C$837,988. He paid $2.70 to win.

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--