Woodbine Mohawk Park: Righteous Resolve best in Peaceful Way final

Righteous Resolve and driver Paul MacDonell rolled up without cover and was a dominant force in capturing Saturday's C$362,000 Peaceful Way Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The John Bax-trained filly was a winner for the fifth time in six lifetime starts, scoring in a career-best 1:55 2/5 clocking.

Shesundertheradar left explosively from the outside for driver Sylvain Filion to the front as Graceful Patty, Warrawee Yes and Righteous Resolve settled for tucks in the opening bend. Shesundertheradar hit the opening quarter in 27 3/5 but driver Louis-Philippe Roy was not content to sit third and hustled Warrawee Yes to the front on the backstretch, reaching the half in 57 seconds.

MacDonell sat quite chilly through the opening-half but gave his filly the cue moving past the half, and Righteous Resolve picked up the bit and went on the offensive, meeting Warrawee Yes on even terms through three-quarters in 1:26 2/5.

With Graceful Patty right on his back and Heart On Fire third-over, MacDonell called on Righteous Resolve, and she wore down the pace-setter and marched off impressively in a 29 second final quarter to hold Graceful Patty at bay late. Shesundertheradar came through between horses for the show spot.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Sent off as the 7-5 favorite, Righteous Resolve paid $4.80 for the victory. Owned by Bet Max Stables Inc. and Beneati Inc., Righteous Resolve more than doubled her career earnings with the victory, moving over C$330K with the score.

"When I moved her, she was strong," said MacDonell in the post-race interview. "We haven't reached the bottom yet."

Bax joked about his winning driver. "I don't think he's too old," he said with a grin, answering some speculation of MacDonell.

Bax added that he'd like to point Righteous Resolve for the upcoming Mohawk Million but would need to discuss it with her ownership.