Mohawk Trail made her first start at Woodbine a winning one after taking Sunday's $100,000 Alywow Stakes in impressive fashion.
After making six starts in Florida and another in Indiana, the daughter of Pioneerof the Nile out of Iroquois Girl, by Indian Charlie, was sent to Canada to contest the 6-½-furlong turf race for 3-year-old fillies.
She now heads home a first-time stakes winner.
Under Adam Beschizza, Mohawk Trail broke alertly from the gate and held an early lead before longshot Collecting Flatter assumed control with tote board choice Ryder Ryder Ryder sitting just to her outside through an opening quarter of :24.41 over firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
Collecting Flatter, at 26-1, and 8-5 favorite Ryder Ryder Ryder continued their front-end duel through :47.02. Fearless Angel sat third while Mohawk Trail watched the proceedings from fourth.
As the field of seven came out of the turn for home, Beschizza called upon the Kelsey Danner trainee, who responded with a quick burst to move into second at the stretch call before seizing the lead and then holding off a late inside bid from Up and Down to notch a three-quarter length score in a time of 1:15.65. Last Call was third with Ryder Ryder Ryder fourth. Secret Money, Fearless Angel and Collecting Flatter rounded out the field. Star Candy and Renegade Rebel were both scratched.
“She was doing everything a lot more forward than I really wanted to or anticipated,” said Beschizza, who was making just his second appearance at Woodbine. “She broke right on top of the gate and was almost vying for the lead for the first furlong. Kelsey had her perfect for today and she's really done a good job with her. She was in perfect condition coming into this, almost too ready. All she wanted to do was please. She was there very early from the beginning and almost there too soon. So, at the last eighth of a mile there, she was almost easing up, waiting for company.”
The win was also the first Woodbine score for Beschizza, who is closing in on 600 career wins.
“It's an absolutely remarkable turf course. The turf is like a carpet to ride on.”
The NBS Stable filly arrived at the race off a second in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Handicap on May 17.
“I was told the turf was beautiful and I knew she liked the surface,” said assistant trainer Sadie Jenkins. “I thought this filly was coming up here to win or try her hardest anyway. And she did.”
Bred in Florida by Westbury Stables LLC, Mohawk Trail ($23.10) is now 3-1-1 from eight starts and earnings of $136,839.
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