Major Hottie shocked fans at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday night with a world-record performance for

free-legged pacers, which came in the $42,000 Open.

Stonebridge On Ice (Doug McNair) used the inside post position to his advantage as he grabbed the early lead and rolled to the first quarter in :26.2 with Major Hottie and Mark MacDonald dropping into the pocket in front of favourite Bigtime Ball (Roger Mayotte).

Bigtime Ball made his move at that point and cleared at the half in :53.3. The 2-5 popular choice led the way down the backstretch while Major Hottie rolled up alongside him and moved out in front by a quarter-length at the 1:21.1 third quarter station. Bigtime Ball came back on in the stretch, but Major Hottie dug in and wore down his rival for the 13-1 upset in an electrifying career best clocking of 1:48.3. Bigtime Ball finished a quarter-length behind while Dali (Luc Ouellette) came flying late and also got into the three-way win photo.

Major Hottie was claimed by the Larocque Racing Stable Inc. for $40,000 back on January 11th of this year and has won five of 15 since then for new trainer Steve Charlton while banking just over $140,000.

“I thought he [Major Hottie] would [put up a big mile], but I thought maybe at Woodbine though,” said winning driver Mark MacDonald in reference to the horse’s steady progression for the new connections. “This track this year is really good and when you get a nice hot night like tonight and six really good horses in a competitive race you’re going to get a big mile every time.”

Major Hottie returned $28.60 in the upset win while notching just his second career win at the Open level. His clocking lowered the previous free-legged record of 1:49.3, which was held by Zooka.

To view Saturday's results, click here.

(With files from WEG)