Milton, ON — Musical Rhythm made a triumphant return to the Preferred on Monday evening (Nov. 26) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The 6-year-old Ben Baillargeon trainee pulled off a 9-1 upset over six rivals in the $25,840 top class.

A rainy Monday led to ‘sloppy’ conditions for the evening’s card of racing. Dunbar Hall was the talk of the field, as he entered on a two-race win streak in the Preferred.

Musical Rhythm made a triumphant return to the Preferred on Monday at Woodbine Mohawk Park. New Image Media photo.

Dancer Hall, who finished second in the last two editions of the Preferred, powered to the early lead and posted a :28.3 opener before catching a :30 breather in the second quarter. B Yoyo moved out from fourth and came first-up, which allowed Musical Rhythm and driver Mario Baillargeon to follow from fifth and sit second-over on the far turn.

Dancer Hall maintained the lead to three-quarters in 1:27.4, with B Yoyo pressuring first-up and Musical Rhythm in a perfect second-over spot. Dunbar Hall got away third and rather than coming first-up stayed in and was buried fourth turning for home.

In the stretch, B Yoyo immediately trotted by Dancer Hall and took the lead, but it was short-lived, as Musical Rhythm powered by for a 2-1/2 lengths score in 1:57.1. Free Willy Hanover finished second, while B Yoyo was third and Dunbar Hall fourth.

A son of Cantab Hall, Musical Rhythm was returning to the Preferred after dropping down and gaining confidence at lower-levels. The Baillargeon trainee registered his ninth career Preferred victory and first since last October.

Muscial Rhythm now has two wins and $33,341 earned in eight starts this season for owners Santo and Nunzio Vena, Claude Hamel and Ben Baillargeon. Monday’s victory increases his career numbers to 29 wins and $576,297 earned.
A $2 win ticket on Musical Rhythm paid $20.50.

Live racing resumes Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.