by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — In what was one of the most thrilling finishes of the season in harness racing, Moving Pictures clawed her way to victory in Saturday night’s (June 30) C$379,000 final of The Roses Are Red Stakes for older pacing mares at Mohawk Racetrack.

The 4-year-old D M Dilinger mare, with Mark MacDonald at the controls, came into the race off a track record-equaling 1:49.3 win in her elimination last week after turning in multiple moves in the mile.

On Saturday night, it wasn’t much easier as she was parked well past the opening quarter of :26.3 before yielding to Darlin’s Delight right at the half in :54.4. Moving Pictures then watched as Four Starzz Meliss came after Darlin’s Delight and actually grabbed a short lead at the third panel in 1:22.1.

Turning for home, Darlin’s Delight came back on and drew even with the first-over attacker who began to drift wide, creating a seam for Moving Pictures to come through. Meanwhile, Invitro came rolling off cover and was charging late. It came down to these two at the finish, with Moving Pictures prevailing by a diminishing head in 1:50.1.

“I made the front tonight, and saw Darlin’s Delight out there,” said winning driver Mark MacDonald. “I thought I’d work out a real good trip. I had a hard time keeping up most of the mile, but I knew that she’d keep trucking along. She did manage to get there.”

“It is exciting to watch her race, but quite tough,” admitted trainer Casie Coleman. “She’s fast, but lazy. You really have to work on her in the mile. I think she’s a horse that races better from the seven or eight hole. She leaves better from the outside. She’ll get a couple of weeks off and then she has the Masters Series at Georgian Downs, the Breeders Crown and the Milton Stakes.”

The win improved Moving Picture’s 2007 summary to 5-1-1 in 10 starts for owners Steve Calhoun and Michael Lindley of Chatham, Ontario. She now sits with a career bankroll of just over C$750,000.