Ontario-sired rookies were in the spotlight Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as the oval hosted first round action of the Harvest Series for trotting colts and geldings plus pacing colts and geldings.

Combs Hanover overcame a Post 11 start for trainer/driver Paul MacDonell en route to breaking his maiden in 1:59.1 in a windy and chilly evening at the Campbellville, Ont. oval.

The gelding got away sixth in the early stages of the mile while even-money favourite HP Muscle Dancer forged his way to the front in :28.3. He continued to lead the field through middle panels of :58.2 and 1:29.2, but he failed to go the distance. Jula Uppercut came first over on the way to the three-quarter pole with Combs Hanover tracking that cover from second over.

Combs Hanover swung wide in the lane and used a :29.1 closing kick to win by 1-1/2 lengths over HP Muscle Dancer. Taking home third money in the $17,000 affair was Jula Uppercut.

It was the first win from just two attempts for the son of Archangel-Chez Lucie. Chris Storms and Michael Storms share ownership on the career winner of $9,250.

Big Blue Ford captured the other trotting division in 1:58 for driver Mike Saftic and trainer Dennis Morrissey.

Saftic landed fourth in the early going with the gelding while Enduring Strength and Fit Bitt battled to the quarter pole in :28.3. Big Blue Ford made a bold move in the backstretch, and he was up to take command at the half in :58.2. He led the field past the three-quarter pole in 1:28.2 while feeling the first-over pressure from Secrets Justice. Big Blue Ford used a :29.3 closing panel to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Fit Bitt. Enduring Strength grabbed the show dough.

Sent off at odds of 3-1, the son of Amigo Hall-Incredible Mother improved his freshman record to 1-1-1 from eight assignments for Morrissey and partner Dr. David James Peden. To date, the youngster has banked $13,875.

In the first pacing division it was The Wild Card posting his second career victory thanks to a 1:55.2 decision for driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Dr. Ian Moore.

The son of Bettors Delight-Scarlets Western used his gate speed to drop into the pocket while Machpheus hustled the field through solid fractions of :27.3, :55.4 and 1:25. Cote Dazur and Remembering Shorty applied pressure to the leader at various points throughout the mile, but it was the pressure of The Wild Card in the lane that ultimately did in the leader. The Wild Card stepped home in :30 to win by a length over race favourite Remembering Shorty. Frontier Cruise was third.

Moore shares ownership on the rookie with R G Mcgroup Ltd and Serge Savard. The colt now boasts a 2-1-0 record from seven attempts while his bankroll climbed to $22,125.

Beaumond Hanover was a popular winner in the other pacing division for the team of driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Jack Darling.

Sent off as the 1-2 choice, the son of Sportswriter-Bittorsweet Terror was in no hurry in the early going as he crossed into an early seven-hole while Beach Demon rocketed to the lead from Post 7 and had the field chasing him to the quarter pole in :27.3. Sundown Kid popped the pocket in the backstretch and brushed to the top, and he was quickly followed by St Lads Beat It.

The half flashed up in :56.1 for St Lads Beat It who then felt first-over pressure of Gentry Seelster going into the final turn. The first-over prompter was followed by Beaumond Hanover. St Lads Beat It and Gentry Seelster were still scrapping at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3, with Beaumond Hanover commencing a three-wide rally. Beaumond Hanover kicked home in :28 to win by three-quarters of a length over St Lads Beat It. Sundown Kid came on late to finish third.

It was the second win from just three assignments for Beaumond Hanover, who is owned by Jack Darling Stables Ltd of Cambridge, Ont. The youngster has banked $20,000 to date.

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