On an evening where six $10,000 divisions of Pop-Up Series action highlighted the 10-race card at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Head Honcho was large and in charge, pacing the quickest mile of the splits on Thursday, Feb. 20.

The Pop-Up Series consisted of $8,000 claimers who were non-winners of $4,000 in their last five starts, featuring three divisions each for male and female pacers.

Head Honcho (pictured above) and driver Tyler Jones utilized a first-over grind to score in the second division for males.

Leaving from the rail, Jones and Head Honcho got away fifth while Silver Beast (Billy Davis Jr.) cut the quarter in :29.4. Katies Bet (James MacDonald) took over from fourth to take command to the half in :59.2 before reaching three-quarters in 1:28.1 as Head Honcho moved into third turning for home. Head Honcho surged in the lane, tracking down Katies Bet late before fending off a hard-charging Flying Art A (Trevor Henry) to score by a neck in 1:57.1.

The victory was the first in four starts this year for Head Honcho who is trained by Leonard Lalonde. The victory was the 10th in the career of the six-year-old gelded son of Control The Moment-Dani Hanover who now boasts a career bankroll of $121,245 for owners Kristina Lalonde and Alvin Hamilton.

Head Honcho returned $13.10 at the betting windows for the victory.

The other two divisions for males were won by Bet Ninteen (Louis-Philippe Roy, $2.40) in 1:57.3 and Odds On Carmel (James MacDonald, $16.10) in 1:59.2.

Horizon Seelster and driver Tyler Borth led at every station to romp in the fastest of the three divisions for filly and mare pacers.

Leaving from post five, Horizon Seelster quickly grabbed a 2-1/4-length lead at the quarter pole in :28.2. The Justin Turcotte trainee had things her way to the half in :58.4, before Rambaran Rose (James MacDonald) challenged the leader at three-quarters in 1:29.1. Horizon Seelster shook off the challenge turning for home, pacing to a 4-3/4 length score in 1:58. Rambaran Rose held for second, My Only Sunshine (Travis Cullen) finished third.

Visiting the winner's circle for the first time in seven outings this season, Horizon Seelster is owned by Gestion Blais. The four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Hope And Faith is a three-time career winner with earnings of $28,026.

Horizon Seelster paid $13.90 to win. 

The other two winners in the mare splits were First Filly Chip (James MacDonald, $3.50) in 1:59.1 and Del Giggity (Guy Gagnon, $4.30) in 1:58.4.

The second and third legs of each Pop-Up Series will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, March 6, respectively. The $20,000 finals will be contested on Thursday, March 13.

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

(Standardbred Canada)