MILTON, June 19, 2018 – Will Take Charge stormed home to win Tuesday’s $34,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:51.3 for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Jeff Gillis. The eye-catching mile of 1:51.3 is the fastest trotting mile this season in Canada. Returning to Canadian soil after a successful stint in the United States, Will Take Charge was sent off as the even-money choice against six rivals. The Gillis trainee got away fifth in the early-stages and watched a game of musical chairs take place up front. Big Rich had to work hard to clear rail starter Dancer Hall to lead at the opening-quarter in :27.2. Dancer Hall quickly circled around entering the backstretch, but was overtaken immediately by Warrawee Roo, who was parked around the first turn. The new leader reached the half in :56. Around the final turn, Achille Duharas came first-up from fourth and supplied cover for a perfectly placed Will Take Charge. Warrawee Roo led by a pair of lengths at three-quarters in 1:24.1. Will Take Charge was fourth lengths from the lead turning for home, but the five-year-old had plenty of fight in him. The Gillis trainee unleashed a :26.3 final-quarter to powerfully track down the leader and prevail in deep stretch for the 1:51.3 score. Dancer Hall got up the inside to finish second, beat three-quarters of a length, while Warrawee Roo had to settle for third. Owned by Mac Nichol, Will Take Charge is now seven for 13 this season. The five-year-old gelding made six starts south of the border from April 14 to June 9, winning three of them, including the $150,000 Maxie Lee Memorial. Will Take Charge boosted his 2018 earnings to $236,511 and career earnings to $796,761 with his 19th career victory Monday. The clocking of 1:51.3 also established a new North American season’s best for an older gelding trotter on a seven-eighths of a mile track or bigger. Will Take Charge paid $4 to win. Live racing resumes Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:30 p.m. Share This:Share
