All signs pointed to Bob McClure being somewhat thirsty on Thursday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as the O'Brien Award nominated driver opened up a six-pack and stone-cold stunned his competition to dominate the card.
The wins came early and often for McClure on Thursday night, sweeping the first three races at the Campbellville oval. McClure started the night in victorious fashion aboard R U Talkin ($3.20, 1:57.1), swept the daily double with trotter P L Louigi ($13.60, 1:59.4) and then completed the Win 3 hat trick along with Sauble Bonnie ($3.30, 1:59.1).
Just Wave Goodbye ($4.90, 1:59) was an appropriately-named winner for McClure in the sixth race for his fourth win on the night. McClure completed the card's late daily double with another sweep, taking race nine with Arukidingme Cabbie ($7.90, 1:56) and the nightcap courtesy Avalanche Hanover ($7.10, 1:55).
While McClure certainly dominated the Thursday night card on the driving side with his six-win performance, the same could not be said for the trainers as 10 different conditioners were victorious.
Coming off a career-best season for purses in 2018, Bob McClure looks to capture his first O'Brien Award as Canada's Driver of the Year at next month's black tie gala honouring the best in Canadian harness racing at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga.
For those wondering, that was in fact the voice of regular Mohawk announcer Ken Middleton, who was calling the action for the first time since November. Middleton was sidelined after surgery to correct a rotator cuff injury received from a car accident more than two years ago.
"It was really nice to get the green light to return to work; I missed the races and my colleagues," Middleton told Trot Insider. "The company is very fortunate to have so many versatile personalities that were able to backfill for me, and I'm very appreciative of the work done by Mark McKelvie, Chad Rozema and Jason Portuondo during my time away."
To view the charted lines from Mohawk's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.