MILTON, August 26, 2023 – Drawn Impression flaunted her fleet-of-foot flair in Saturday’s $425,000 Peaceful Way final at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The trot for rookie fillies saw a multi-horse tussle for top spot at the outset with Draw The Line striking front before being overtaken by Graceful Design just past the opening panel reached in :27.3. The see-saw affair saw Draw The Line pop back out and seize control just after a half in :56.2, while Louis-Philippe Roy, in rein to 1-2 choice Drawn Impression, kept a patient hand, content to watch the proceedings from in sixth. As the field entered the turn for home, Cool Ma Belle came calling to the outside, while Drawn Impression, now fifth, was rolling and full of trot. Draw the Line, less than a length clear after three-quarters in 1:26.0, then yielded the lead as a host of others set their sights on top prize, but it was Drawn Impression, in full flight mid-way down the stretch, who blasted by her foes with ease. The daughter of Muscle Hill-Emoticon Hanover, who arrived at the Wellwood with two straight scores to start her career, went on to notch a 4 ¾-length victory in a time of 1:54.2. Willys Home was second, just ahead of Graceful Design and Cool Ma Belle, who finished third and fourth, respectively. Drawn Impression and driver Louis-Phillippe Roy winning the Peaceful Way final on August 26, 2023 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media) It was another trotting tour de force for the bay filly trained by Luc Blais for owner/breeder Determination. “Every time she convinces me a little bit more, and tonight it just looked like she was in her own league,” praised Roy. “I don’t think anyone could get her beat. I was just very lucky to sit behind her. She can drive herself. I knew she was doing good speed there. Once I was able to have her sitting third over there in the last turn, I was really confident with her that she would win.” After a dazzling debut on August 11, a three-length triumph as the 4-5 choice, Drawn Impression followed it up with another head-turning victory, this time in her Peaceful Way division on August 19. That win was nearly a carbon copy of her performance in the final, a strong rally capped off by a sharp final quarter. On this night, Drawn Impression was once again at the top of her game. “It’s an amazing feeling tonight,” said Blais. “Her mother was an amazing mare and when you see the filly go like this, it’s an amazing feeling.” Roy was delighted to deliver Blais with another big win. “It’s very nice to work with Luc. “He’s a guy from Quebec, similar to me, a small-town guy. It’s nice to work with him.” Drawn Impression paid $3 for the win. The Peaceful Way is named for one of the most talented trotting fillies ever bred in Ontario who earned more than $3.2 million during her stellar career and was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2008. One year earlier, shortly after Peaceful Way’s retirement, Woodbine Entertainment announced they had renamed the Oakville Stakes (an event she won handily in her two-year-old career) in her honour. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms Share This:Share
