Unfortunately, I was only able to see the first two races in the Classic Series from Mohawk on Saturday night. Just my luck---it would be hard to imagine two races that were any more boring than those events.

That’s predictable when you have five horses racing on a large track. There was virtually no action throughout most of both miles. It was just the pitter-patter of hooves playing follow the leader. You could have easily taken a brief nap from the start to the three-quarter pole and not missed anything.

Of course, both events got exciting in the final quarter. In the trot, heavily-favored Corleone Kosmos wore down Arch Madness and then fell victim to the deep stretch surprise from Chick N Tell and Mike Saftic at 15-1.

The pacing mares “sizzled” a second quarter in 29.3 with A And Gs Confusion showing the way with her pinkie-doodle gait. Despite getting away with soft fractions, she was the one with the least kick in the stretch as John Campbell slipped up the inside to win with Tug River Princess.

The older pacing horses put on a good show, I’ve read, later in the evening with Winbak Speed fending off all sorts of challengers in the stretch. This division should experience a change soon when reigning champ Mister Big starts for money soon. He’s won five qualifiers, the fastest in 1:51.2, and the landscape will be altered when he steps onto the track.

Then you have Shadow Play, who should be nipping at his heels once he overcomes his early-season maladies. Keep in mind, however, that it’s a big leap for a four-year-old like Shadow Play to enter the ring with these older heavyweights.

It’s an exciting time of the year, isn’t it? I think so. Freshman trotting champ Muscle Hill from last season is back and ready to rumble as his first victory proven. The soph pacers are still anyone’s guess with some of the big names sidelined. And two-year-olds are bustin’ out all over the place.

It’s gonna be a great summer with great racing. I can feel it in my bones. Stay tuned.