Major Athens pulled off a minor upset in capturing Thursday’s $34,000 Preferred Trot at Mohawk Racetrack in a race that looked more like a training trip.

Jody Jamieson powered to the lead from Post 6 with Major Athens, who zipped by the quarter pole in :27.4. A second quarter in :30.1 landed him at the half in :58, and it landed everyone in the backfield in a whole world of trouble.

Race favourite Musical Rhythm came first-over on the way to the half, but by the time he applied any pressure on the leader it was game over. Major Athens sprinted the third quarter in :28.1 and that had the field chasing him past the three-quarter marker in 1:26.1. He then used a :28.3 closing panel to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Il Sogno Dream in 1:54.4. Whiskey Tax tagged along to finish third.

Jeff Gillis trains the seven-year-old son of Andover Hall-Miss Athens for owner Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, PA. The victory improved the classy campaigner’s 2017 record to 3-4-1 from just 11 trips to the track. The 25-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings past $725,000 with the triumph.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.