Chocolateforlunch provided a sweet treat to her backers at the betting windows, pulling an 18-1 shocker in the action-packed $30,000 Pop-Up Series Final on Thursday (Jan. 9) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Trevor Henry got the call on Chocolateforlunch in the full field of 10 filly and mare pacers who were non-winners of $30,000 in 2024.

Henry settled Chocolateforlunch towards the back of the field early, landing in the ninth position on the first turn while Redlandbethanyjean (Bob McClure) battled to the inside of Mystic Wild Rose (Phil Hudon) through a quarter of :27.3. Mystic Wild Rose cleared to the lead on the backstretch before parking 53-1 shot, Wildcat Delight (Brett MacDonald), to the half in :56.4. Cocolateforlunch moved within striking distance third-over on the final turn, following the cover of Charmbo Stormy (Austin Sorrie) who tipped three-wide at three-quarters in 1:26.3 to make it a three-across battle for the lead turning for home.

Having yet to see a pylon and in search of her sixth-straight victory, Charmbo Stormy powered to the front at the top of the stretch with Chocolateforlunch in hot pursuit. The two mares battled in the stretch well clear of the rest, with Chocolateforlunch getting the better of a dead-game Charmbo Stormy by a head on the wire in 1:55.2. Fated Fire (James MacDonald) finished third, 3-3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Trained by Derick Anderson for owner Scott Mason, Chocolateforlunch notched the seventh victory of her career. The mile was a career best for the five-year-old daughter of Dali-Simply Mavelous, and pushed her career bankroll to $74,993. Chocolateforlunch returned $38.90 to win at the betting windows. 

In the $14,000 consolation of the same Pop-Up Series, Better Be Donna (James MacDonald) paced to a 1:56.3 front-end victory for trainer Carmen Auciello. 

In addition to the final, another Pop-Up Series continued on the card with the $14,000 second leg for $20,000 claiming pacers who were non-winners of $40,000 ($50,000 Ontario-Sired), with three divisions for males, and two divisions for females.

The three divisions for males went to Voltage Blue Chip (Doug McNair, $3.20) in 1:56.4, Always B Melman (Scott Young, $9.00) in 1:55.4, and D A Magic Mike (James MacDonald, $2.90) in 1:55.

Vendetta Blue Chip (James MacDonald, $4.00) scored in the first division for filly and mare pacers, before Tells Bells (Travis Cullen, $57.70) delivered yet another massive upset on the night in 1:57.3.

James MacDonald led all drivers with three winners on the card, while Jodie Cullen led all trainers with two victories while sweeping the late double.

To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)