by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Toronto, ON — Richard Moreau trainees Ms Mac N Cheese and Witch Dali finished one-two in Friday (Jan. 12) evening’s C$30,000 Mares Preferred at Woodbine Racetrack.
Snowy and freezing conditions made traveling to Woodbine difficult on Friday and led to the scratch of more than a dozen horses, including millionaire L A Delight. The removal of the Bob McIntosh trained superstar, who had won the last two editions of the Mares Preferred, opened the door for one of five mares to find the winner’s circle.
New Image Media photo
Ms Mac N Cheese holds off stablemate Witch Dali to win the first Mares Preferred at Woodbine.
Ms Mac N Cheese, who finished second to L A Delight on Dec. 15, went coast to coast for her 23rd career score. The now 6-year-old pacing mare was sent to the front by driver Louis Philippe Roy and got things her own way through fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:27.
Stablemate Witch Dali was a handful for Doug McNair, who fought to keep the winner of nearly half a million in the pocket spot until the top of the lane.
In the stretch, Witch Dali took her best shot and tried to surge by, but Ms Mac N Cheese denied that bid and held her off to win by a half-length in 1:55.2. Exhilarated finished third, while Request For Parole was fourth and Buttermilk Hanover fifth.
Owned by Ratchford Stable Ns, Ms Mac N Cheese won five of 28 starts in 2017, finding her best stride in the later stages of the season. The Moreau trainee banked C$112,880 last season and starts 2018 with C$15,000 earned to bring her career earnings to C$702,992.
The public was behind Ms Mac N Cheese in the short field, as she paid $4.60 to win.
Live racing continues Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack. Post time is 7:10 p.m.