San Pail, harness racing's Horse of the Year on both sides of the border in 2011, captured his qualifying session this morning at Mohawk Racetrack

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The winner of $2,977,885, which includes three Maple Leaf Trot victories, cleared to the front past the half in :58.1 and led his rivals past three-quarters in 1:27.3, en route to stopping the timer in 1:55.3 with a :28 final quarter. Last year's Goodtimes Final winner Blue Porsche finished second in his 2012 debut for trainer-driver Blair Burgess.

“Everything went very smoothly this morning,” trainer and co-owner Rod Hughes said. “Randy [Waples] and I thought right around [1]:55 or [1]:56 should be reasonable this morning and did that very comfortably. Randy said he was strong at the end of the mile and that he’s ready to go.”

After earning $1,266,420 last season with a record of 14-2-0 from 16 appearances, San Pail’s first stakes engagement of the season will be in the opening leg of the Glorys Comet Series, set for Saturday, March 24 at Woodbine.

The eight-year-old son of San Pellegrino has 49 career victories for co-owner and breeder Glenn Van Camp.

To view all charts from Thursday morning's qualifying session, click the following link: Thursday Qualifiers - Mohawk Racetrack.

(WEG)