Witch Dali was the highlight of a big night for her meet-leading connections, winning the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace on Friday (December 1) at Woodbine Racetrack.

The mare’s victory was part of a four-win night for both driver Doug McNair and trainer Richard Moreau, and gave owner Bradley Grant a double.

In the Preferred, outside leavers Witch Dali and 1-5 favourite L A Delight quickly landed in first and second-place, respectively. After a :26.4 first quarter, Witch Dali took a 30-second breather to the half while Request For Parole started up first-up from fifth. With Request For Parole pressing outside past three-quarters in 1:25 and into the stretch, L A Delight, a dominant winner for the first time this year last week, was locked in the pocket and unable to skim the pylons until it was too late. Witch Dali prevailed by a head over millionairess L A Delight, with Request For Parole finishing just a neck back in third. Witch Dali stopped the clock in 1:53.1 and returned $11.80 as the 9-2 third wagering choice.

The six-year-old Dali-Whitesand Gem mare, who picked up her second consecutive Preferred level win, has banked $112,320 this year for Grant. Lifetime, she boasts 23 wins and $460,668 in purse earnings.

Moreau and McNair also teamed up for a victory with Grant’s new acquisition, Teachers Vet ($4.90). Driver Louis-Philippe Roy assisted Moreau for his other winners with Docs Sausalito ($2.80) and Bad Night Mare ($9.90).

McNair drove Blameitonthewhisky ($49.10) to an upset victory for trainer Mike Smith and also won with Every Time ($6.70) for trainer William James to complete his own quartet of wins.

Roy ended the night with three wins, also scoring with You Should Be Here ($3) for trainer Patrick Rouleau.

(Standardbred Canada)