by Mike Bozich, track announcer, Hazel Park

Hazel Park, MI — Renaissance Woman’s debut at Hazel Park back on May 1 was as a conditioned/claimer. She won that affair in a modest 1:57 and change clocking off of a perfect pocket trip.

Fast forward to Friday, June 15, where the 4-year-old mare found herself riding a five-race win streak. She also found herself in the Filly and Mare Open ranks against a rugged group of ladies that have all had success at one time or another in this classification.

As the gate swung, it was Dayzee Dukes who headed right to the front. She controlled the tempo for three-quarters of the race until an aggressively driven ICU Tricks took over. It was then that Renaissance Woman seized her opportunity.

She engaged ICU Tricks at the top of the stretch and in familiar game fashion, she held off the closing Jinni’s Fantasy N to tie the track record for 4-year-old mare pacers of 1:53.1. She also extended her winning streak to six.

In other Friday night news, 4-year-old trotter Wattafine captured the $9,400 Open Trot For driver/trainer Skip Demull. Wattafine was eight lengths back at the three-quarters before unleashing a four-wide move that proved best in the stretch. The son of Kedgewick stopped the timer in a lifetime best 1:57.1.

Action continues at Hazel Park on Saturday night (June 16) with an outstanding 11-race card scheduled to get underway at 7:25 p.m.