Driver Mike Whelan will be headed stateside to defend his heritage and his title in the 2017 St. Paddy Pace at Freehold Raceway, and he'll have both the luck of the Irish and momentum on his side.

On Thursday night at Woodbine Racetrack, Whelan guided Koultons Rocket to a lifetime best 1:54.1 win for trainer/owner/father Jim Whelan of Troy, Ont.

Whelan will make the trek to New Jersey seeking a second straight St. Paddy Pace title on Saturday (March 18). He's listed to drive Dragon N Kickin, recently shifted to the Nick Surick stable. The five-year-old Dragon Again gelding gets some post relief, drawing Post Three for Whelan with the duo assessed 6-1 morning line odds.

Here's the field for the St, Paddy Pace, featuring drivers of Irish descent, slated as Race Four during Freehold's Saturday afternoon card.

1. Moveoutofmyway (Kyle Husted) 5-2
2. Sonic Ivy (Robert Bresnahan Jr.) 7-2
3. Dragon N Kickin (Mike Whelan) 6-1
4. Mommas Artist (Kyle Caulfield) 9-2
5. Danger Hi Joltage (Jim Marshall III) 8-1
6. Mr Bigglesworth (George Brennan) 8-1
7. Opening Night Gem (John Mc Dermott) 30-1
8. Union League (Jim Marohn Jr.) 6-1

Whelan will then return north of the border with hopes that the luck of the Irish is still strong as Koultons Rocket is back in-to-go for his connections at Flamboro Downs on Sunday.