MILTON, April 21, 2018 – A week after an ice storm forced a cancellation, Woodbine Mohawk Park was finally able to host its first Saturday card of the 2018 season. The evening kicked-off with several drivers handing out free programs and meeting fans throughout the facility. Chris Christoforou, Sylvain Filion, Trevor Henry, James MacDonald, Bob McClure and Louis Philippe Roy greeted customers and got to check out some of the recent upgrades to the Grandstand. On the track, the $34,000 Preferred Pace was the feature event and Easy Lover Hanover made a big statement in his 2018 debut. The Ben Wallace trained five-year-old was sent to the front by driver Doug McNair and the duo never looked back en route to a stunning 1:49.3 victory. Easy Lover Hanover finished 2017 on a six-race win streak at Woodbine. The Wallace student qualified twice prior to Saturday’s start and was ready to roll in his season debut. ‘Easy Lover’ posted opening fractions of :27 and :55.2 before being confronted in the third-quarter by the red-hot Nirvana Seelster. The lead pair waged war through a :27 third-quarter. In the stretch, Easy Lover Hanover turned aside Nirvana Seelster and opened a lead of a few lengths. Fool Me Once came off cover to charge on the outside and finish second, a length back of the winner. ‘Nirvana’ was third. Owned by Brad Grant, Easy Lover Hanover won nine-times and banked $215,487 in 24 starts last season. Saturday’s score was the 26th career win for the five-year-old. Easy Lover Hanover, who is eligible to this year’s Canadian Pacing Derby, paid $7.70 to win. Also on Saturday, Louis Philippe Roy and Richard Moreau were recognized for posting the most wins during the final Standardbred meet at Woodbine Racetrack. Richard Moreau and Louis Philippe Roy receive signs and a gift from Megan Walker, Manager of Racing Operations, and Bill McLinchey, Director of Racing, on Saturday evening. (New Image Media) Roy captured his first Woodbine Entertainment meet driving title by posting 157 wins from October 19, 2017 to April 9, 2018. Moreau led all trainer during that period with 135 wins to add to his impressive list of accomplishments. Live racing gets back underway Monday at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:30 p.m. Share This:Share
