Team Jones, trainer Dustin and driver Tyler, lowered the Canadian record for two-year-old trotting geldings when Jokic landed in front of an $18,000 overnight on Thursday night (Oct. 13) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a night which also featured five divisions for the opening preliminary of the Harvest Series.
Jokic came from off a tempo of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:25.2 set by Shesundertheradar, who turned for home battling for the lead. Tyler Jones pushed Jokic up the rim and rallied down the centre of the course to overtake a pylon-popping How The Hell late in the stretch and win by a neck in 1:54.1. The time beats the previous track and Canadian record of 1:54.2 set by HP Royal Theo in winning an elimination for the William Wellwood Memorial in September 2019.
Dean Lockhart owns Jokic, who collected his second victory from nine starts and added to his bankroll of now $58,398. He paid $5.20 to win.
Harvest Series action opened in Race 1 with the first of two divisions for trotting freshmen. The Hazelton stormed from off the speed to win as the 1-2 favourite in 1:57. The Muscle Mass colt sat sixth while Beacon Beach strolled on the lead through a clip of :28.1, :58 and 1:27.3. Once given free sailing to the center of the track, The Hazelton rolled home to best pocket-popper Zip Me Up by a half length in 1:57. Yank My Halo closed for third and Mr Experience took fourth.
Mark Etsell trains and co-owns The Hazelton with Terry Devos, Graham Hopkins and Peter Porter. He won his second race from three starts, has banked $16,500 and paid $3 to win.
He Will coasted home in the other Harvest Series division to win by 5-1/4 lengths in 1:57.1. Driver James MacDonald brushed the Muscle Mass gelding to the lead from third after a :28.4 first quarter and cruised to a :59 half and three-quarters in 1:28.1. The Bill Megens pupil spun for home in hand as Impressive Dude dashed off cover to finish second with Snapchat Sam closing for third and Lookslikeagoodfella finishing fourth.
A homebred for Megens, He Will collected his fifth win from 10 starts and has now earned $30,850. He paid $5.80 to win.
Slick N Quick zipped home in the first of three Harvest Series splits for pacing freshmen to win in 1:53.2. Clearing control to a :28.3 first quarter, Slick N Quick clicked a :57.3 half and accelerated to three-quarters in 1:25 to open five lengths on Bettor B Sirius. The Sportswriter colt shortened stride in the lane but built enough cushion to win by two lengths over Bettor B Sirius narrowing in second, with Sauble Ace taking third and Matts Gem finishing fourth.
Julie Walker trains Slick N Quick for owner Fox Ridge Stable. He won his second race from eight starts and has now earned $31,168. Louis-Philippe Roy steered the $6.40 winner.
Another front-stepping victory came from Winmebak, who delivered as the 2-5 favourite in 1:53.3. Driver James MacDonald swept the Shadow Play gelding to the fore after a :28.4 first quarter to lead into a :57.4 half. He faced little pressure from there, posting three-quarters in 1:26.1 and sprinting home to win by 3-3/4 lengths over Telllaurailoveher closing for second. Teen Tattler took third and Watch My Chips faded to fourth.
Nick Gallucci trains Winmebak for owner Millar Farms. He won his second race from five starts, has now earned $31,668 and paid $2.50 to win.
Scribblers followed suit with the other winners and brushed to the top to seal the job in 1:53.3. However, the Paul Reid pupil stayed put from third through a :27.4 first quarter and :56.4 half before driver Bob McClure pushed him for the top. He overtook pacesetter Fade To Light as he started to drop anchor to three-quarters in 1:25.3 while Hes A Sweetheart was left uncovered coming for the drive home. Scribblers fought all through the lane to keep a neck in front of Hes A Sweetheart at the finish, with Bar Down Jim rallying for third and Saulsbrook Ian finishing fourth.
The Canam Crew owns Scribblers, a Sportswriter gelding who won his second race from 11 starts and has now earned $34,600. He paid $8.30 to win.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.