Milton, ON — Balance out-sprinted rivals to score a seven-length victory in Tuesday’s (Aug. 10) C$76,500 Whenuwishuponastar Series final at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Balance delivered a dominant 1:53.1 effort to capture Tuesday’s Whenuwishuponastar Series final, for 2-year-old pacing fillies, at Woodbine Mohawk Park. New Image Media photo.

Making her first appearance since the first leg, Balance delivered a strong maiden-breaking performance as the 1-2 favorite for driver James MacDonald and trainer Nancy Takter. After finishing second in the opening leg of the series the daughter of Bettor’s Delight was making just her second career start.

The opening quarter of the race saw a three-horse battle with Beyond The Sea and I Love On Gait side by side, while Balance was right behind and ready to brush around to the lead in the second quarter. After a :27 opener, Balance charged to the top and led through a snappy half-mile clocking of :55.1.

Facing no pressure in the third quarter, Balance and MacDonald got a :30 breather to set up a final-quarter sprint. The Takter trainee unleashed a strong burst to leave her rivals behind, pacing home in :28.1 to secure the 1:53.1 victory. Preliminary leg winners One Last Bet and I Love Ongait finished second and third, respectively.

“That’s a big half (:55.1) for 2-year-olds this time of the year; it’s only her second lifetime start,” said MacDonald of the early fractions. “(I Love Ongait) was on my back, and I knew if I was going to last (that) I needed to sneak a breather in somewhere, but last turn I tapped the brakes and she swelled up, so she’s just a really nice filly and a real pro.”

MacDonald noted the change in demeanor for Balance on Tuesday night compared to her career debut.

“It was her first week here, and she was looking at everything the whole mile. Even in post parade, I could really get her on the bit or paying attention to what I wanted her to do, but that’s why Nancy (Takter) is Nancy, she brought her today and she was just a pro. She knew exactly what she had to do and the horse was terrific.”

A daughter of Bettor’s Delight, Balance is the ninth foal out of West Of L A, the dam of million-dollar winners Somewhere In L A, L A Delight and $600,000-plus winner Sunny Dee. Balance, who competes for Diamond Creek Racing, is eligible to all of Woodbine Mohawk Park’s upcoming Grand Circuit events.

A $2 win ticket on Balance returned $3.10.