A pair of top-class trotters made returns to the racetrack during the session of qualifiers on Friday, Aug. 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Seven-year-old Safe Conduct, undefeated in the 2026 New Holland Trotting Series earlier this year before being scratched sick from the final, made his first on-track appearance in nearly five months to line up in post four during the session's lidlifter. To his outside, Hasty Bid — making his first start in nearly two months.

Friday's first qualifier came down to those two former O'Brien Award finalists, with Safe Conduct prevailing in gate-to-wire fashion.

Hall of Famer Chris Christoforou asked Safe Conduct to conduct himself safely on the front end, and the veteran gelding obliged through fractions of :28.2 and :58.3 and 1:27.2 while Hasty Bid stalked in the pocket for driver James MacDonald. Kicking home in :27.1, Safe Conduct held Hasty Bid at bay to trip the timer in 1:54.3. Hasty Bid finished a good second, 1-1/2 lengths back of the winner while not being asked to pass.

Safe Conduct is a 15-time winner in his career for trainer Camilla Christoforou and owners Irvann Holdings Inc. of Toronto and Charalambos Christoforou of Campbellville, Ont. The son of Archangel - Safekeeping has banked $612,260 in his career.

Friday's fourth qualifier was marred by an accident that impacted a pair of two-year-old pacing fillies turning for home. Ooh Barracuda made a break for driver Tyler Jones, then stumbled and fell to the racetrack. She fell in front of Granton Gem and driver Tyler Borth, who were unable to avoid the fallen horse.

The connections of Granton Gem reported that filly avoided serious injury with co-owner Kenn Beatson indicating "barely a scratch on her." Borth drove in his subsequent qualifying assignments, and Jones indicated that he was fine after the spill.

An update on Ooh Barracuda will be provided once available.

For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).

(Standardbred Canada)