Umphrey On A Roll

Over the past few weeks, Alberta native trainer Travis Umphrey has been having much success at Mohawk Racetrack thanks to stablemates A Ps Money Maker and Monkey On My Wheel

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A Ps Money Maker, who recently finished second in the Milton Stakes final at Mohawk Racetrack on September 25 followed up that effort with a track record performance of 1:49.1 in the $38,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Mohawk Racetrack in her most recent start on October 8.

"We did a little vet work on her, she had a splint that was bothering her," Umphrey told WEG's Media Dept. "[Veterinarian] Melissa McKee straightened her around, she's been great ever since. Hopefully she can keep it going, she's got another big race coming up in London and hopefully we'll get through that series and go from there.

A Ps Money Maker, a daughter of Cardmaster Hanover, has seasonal earnings over $250,000 for owners Terry Hamilton, Joe Tinelli and Shir Win Racing Stable. The 18-time career winner has banked $557,088 lifetime.

"She's a bit of a freak of nature to be honest with you. She tends to hurt herself when she gets feeling good in the stall and the paddock," said Umphrey. "She's given me some grey hairs for that reason. She put her back leg through her window in her stall. If we can keep her body in shape this year she'll be good."

In fact, Umphrey thinks the pacing mare could have an advantage in the colder months.

"She seems a lot better when the weather cools off, she goes the same speed when it's -20 or +20."

Umphrey's other charge, Monkey On My Wheel is currently sitting second in points in the Ontario Sires Stakes thanks to a $130,000 OSS Gold victory in 1:54.1 at Mohawk Racetrack on September 25. The two-year-old daughter of Mach Three then a finished second in an OSS Gold final at Kawartha Downs on October 8 in her most recent outing.

"She's just been a dream, to be honest with you. I bought in on her back in March. Mac [Nichol] was nice enough to sell me a quarter. To have a filly in the Golds here in Ontario is pretty special."

A $5,500 yearling buy-back by co-owner Mac Nichol, Monkey On My Wheel has freshman earnings of over $125,000 and will be looking to add to that total in one of two OSS Gold eliminations at Mohawk on Friday night.

"She's got another Gold series starting up on Friday. It's unfortunate we're going six weeks in a row for these two-year-old fillies," offered Umphrey. "Then she'll get a week off and she won't race until the Super Finals after this series.

"When you ask her to go, she waits for you to pull on that right line and when you do she accelerates so quick, I just love the way she does it coming for home."

Umphrey, who now resides in Guelph, Ontario, is currently having the second best season of his harness racing career posting $647,198 in earnings from 179 starts.

(with files from WEG)