Milton, ON — Super Final champion Scarlett Hanover made her sophomore debut in the Ontario Sires Stakes on Monday (July 5) and marched straight back into the Woodbine Mohawk Park winner’s circle.

Scarlett Hanover kept Best Head West at bay in the stretch to record a neck victory in 1:53. New Image Media photo.

Reunited with driver Ed Hensley and trainer Ashleigh Hensley after wintering south of the border, Scarlett Hanover lined up at post four in the first $81,486 Gold Series division. The fan favorite let Best Head West lead the field of seven to a :29.1 opening quarter and then swept to the front. Unchallenged through a :57.4 half and 1:25.3 three-quarters, Scarlett Hanover kept Best Head West at bay in the stretch to record a neck victory in 1:53. Nightlife Seelster rounded out the top three.

“We weren’t sure if we were going to get her back or not, because things are opening up a little bit more, but I think it’s a lot easier for everybody if they stay here because there’s so much racing for them here for the summer,” said Ashleigh Hensley. “We enjoy having her. She does nothing wrong, she’s very smart to work with in the barn, and on the track and everything, and on race day she always knows, she lays down and sleeps in the morning. She knows it’s game day.”

Through 17 starts the Bettor’s Delight daughter has tallied seven wins, four seconds, one third and earnings of $398,893 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. For her efforts in 2020, the filly was honored with the O’Brien Award for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

The second $81,486 Gold division saw Voelz Delight get her third win of the season with a pocket trip behind fan favorite Jody.

Starting from post theee, driver Sylvain Filion and Voelz Delight hustled off the gate and were sitting second behind Alumni Seelster when that filly reached the :27.1 quarter. Filion opted not to remain behind Alumni Seelster and moved Voelz Delight to the front, but was quickly overtaken by Jody.

Jody powered through a :55.4 half and 1:24 three-quarters, but when Voelz Delight tipped out in the stretch she pulled away to a three-quarter length victory in 1:52.2. Jody settled for second and Ourlittlemiracle was third.

“She comes to play most every race. She didn’t change much from last year you know, but she tries, she’s a good mare,” said trainer Ben Baillargeon, adding that the track seemed a bit heavy on Monday. “Horses are getting tired tonight over that track for some reason, so I think it’s a very good mile, 1:52.2. I am really happy with her, like I said, she comes to play.”

Baillargeon trains Voelz Delight for owner-breeder Richard Berthiaume.

The 3-year-old pacing fillies will return to Woodbine Mohawk Park for their second Gold Series start on July 23.

Complete results from Monday’s program are available here and replays can be viewed on Woodbine Mohawk Park’s YouTube channel.

The Campbellville oval’s action-packed Ontario Sires Stakes schedule continues on Tuesday (July 6) with the Gold Series debut of the 2-year-old trotting fillies. Fans can download a program and watch the live stream on the Woodbine Mohawk Park website and those who wish to attend in person can make a reservation at https://woodbine.com/mohawk/guest-registration/.