The most exciting moment is when an upset happens in an equestrian race. When a longshot horse steals the title in the dying moments in front of the spectators’ eyes. Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3) at Woodbine witnessed a similar exciting moment on Saturday. The longshot Mohawk Trail won the CA$150,000 stake in the dying seconds of the race.
The dark bay color three-year-old filly managed to create an upset and win the race with 11-1 odds. She arrived at the race winning her previous one, but this was her first a-mile turf race. The horse was ridden by Adam Beschizza and he had confidence in her. The daughter of Pioneer of the Nile and Iroquois Girl felt at home on the turf.
Mohawk Trails sets an upset win
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The Kentucky based arrived at Grade 3 Ontario Colleen after winning at the Alywow Stakes last month by a distance of six and a half furlong. In the nine-horse race competition, Queen Picasso was the favorite because he was undefeated in two starts despite making her first appearance at Woodbine. Mohawk Trail, trained by Kelsey Danner, was placed at the ninth position.
MOHAWK TRAIL ($25.60) kept grinding and wore down Queen Picasso (GB) in deep stretch in the $150,000 Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3) at @woodbinetb. This 3yo filly by Pioneerof The Nile was trained by Kelsey Danner and ridden by Adam Beschizza! Congrats to the connections! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Oi5mddH8dR
— TVG (@TVG) July 22, 2023
At the start of the race, Queen Picasso to the lead and seem to be in control, leaving Mohawk Trail behind at the seventh position in the opening fractions of the race. The situation continued until the last turn of the home started. Mohawk Trail took her time and was about five lengths of distance from the leader of the race when it started its surge.
Adam Beschizza abroad Mohawk Trail took over the lead of front runner through the midway. In the dying seconds of the race, Mohawk Trail emerged to challenge Queen Picasso for the podium finish. But, it couldn’t stand in front of the surge of Mohawk Trail and lost the race by one and a half length. The kentucky based filly won the race in 1:34.68. The second position went to the Queen Picasso and on the third was Love to Shop.
This was Mohawk Trail’s third win in seven starts this year and earned $90,000 from the race. Now, he lead his lifetime earning to $204,897. The jockey is happy with the filly because she stood to her faith.
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Mohawk Trails satisfy’s Adam
Adam Beschizza was on the horse when she won Alywow Stakes. This created a sense of confidence in him about the filly that she could run for a mile race. Speaking after the win, the jockey said, “I had a discussion with Kelsey, and she said, ‘Do we stay where we are or do we stretch her out a little bit?” The result of the discussion was obvious they will go for stretching her further a bit.
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He further said, “When she had a target in front of her there the last eighth of a mile, she dug deep. Good on Kelsey. She’s done a great job with her and congrats to NBS as well.” They thought that the filly is maturing in the right direction and has the will to win. This development was welcoming one because if you have a horse on that stage, then half the battle is already won.
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