Notable performers showcased their talents at Mohawk Woodbine Park on Tuesday morning, June 11. One of the standout performers was O'Brien Award-winning trotting filly Willys Home Run, who clocked a winning time of 1:58.4. Under the guidance of driver James MacDonald and trainer Kyle Fellows, Willys Home Run made a late surge in the stretch to secure the victory. She narrowly edged out fellow stakes filly P L Rainbow Dash and Flirty Dancer. Last Hall, a four-year-old trotting mare, led the race for a while before fading in the final stretch.
Willys Home Run had a successful start to her sophomore season with a win in the SBOA Stakes eliminations. She just missed out on victories in the final and Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg in her previous races. Owned by a group including Dr. Sara Gatchell and Jake Higgs, Willys Home Run has already earned over $600,000.
Another promising performer was three-year-old pacer Smiles For Miles, who claimed victory in his first Mohawk qualifier in 1:55 flat. He had a strong finish with a final frame of :27.2. Safe Conduct, a five-year-old trotter, also made a winning return to the races after an extended break. Trained by Camilla Christoforou, Safe Conduct was piloted by James MacDonald to a 2-3/4 length victory in 1:56.2.
The morning's fastest mile was recorded by T H McMurry, a three-year-old pacer who finished in 1:52.4 with a lightning-fast final quarter of :26.1. Trained by Jeff Taylor and driven by Louis-Philippe Roy, T H McMurry has already tasted success as an OSS Gold winner and looks promising for the season ahead.