Former Pepsi North America Cup and Maple Leaf Trot winners highlighted an action-packed qualifying session Friday morning at Mohawk Racetrack.

In the second qualifier, this year’s Maple Leaf Trot winner, Intimidate, looked strong in a 1:55.3 winning performance over the ‘fast’ track.

Driven by Sylvain Filion for trainer Luc Blais, Intimidate sat mid-pack for the majority of the mile before coming first up to challenge the leaders at the three-quarters pole. In the stretch, Intimidate trotted home strong in :27.2 to win by three and a quarter lengths over Cool Guy.

A five-year-old son of Justice Hall, Intimidate was making his second consecutive qualifying appearance since his last start in the Crawford Farms Open Trot at Vernon Downs on August 29. Back in July, Intimidate defeated Sebastian K by a nose to capture the $603,000 Maple Leaf Trot. The Blais trainee has won three of 11 starts this season for earnings of $388,300. He is approaching millionaire status, as his career earnings currently stand at $982,890. Intimidate is owned by Determination and Judith Farrow.

In the next qualifier, Thinking Out Loud, the 2012 Pepsi North America Cup winner, looked sharp winning in 1:53.1. Driven by Randy Waples for trainer Bob McIntosh, Thinking Out Loud went straight to the lead and set fractions of :28.4, :57.1, 1:25.4, before cruising home in :27.2 to win by six lengths.

A five-year-old son of Ponder, Thinking Out Loud was making his first appearance since winning the $179,000 American National at Balmoral Park on October 11. The McIntosh trainee has won four of 17 starts this season to add to his career bankroll of over $1.6 million. Thinking Out Loud is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc, C S X Stables and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc.

Another notable winner this morning was the Ben Baillargeon trainee White Becomes Her. The Ontario Sires Stakes gold winner took her qualifier in 1:57.1, with Mario Baillargeon in the bike. The three-year-old daughter of Angus Hall was putting in her first charted line since finishing fourth in the OSS Super Final on October 11.

To view the harness racing results from the Friday qualifying session at Mohawk, click the following link: Friday Results – Mohawk Racetrack (Qualifiers).

(With files from WEG)