The third leg of a Pop-Up Series for developing Ontario-sired three-year-olds featured familiar faces in the winner's circle on Friday evening (Oct. 20) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Fresh off a 1:52.3 career-best victory in last week's leg, Tre Ta Ta (pictured above) repeat in the series for fillies, winning her $15,000 division in 1:53.3 on Friday over a sloppy track for trainer/driver Beau Brown, who also co-owns the daughter of Control The Moment with Jennifer Brown.
Tre Ta Ta took the lead after a contested opening quarter and never looked back, winning by 1-1/4 lengths over early leaders Rose Run Yvette and Fashion Forward. She paid $3.40 to win as the 3-5 favourite.
A pair of $15,000 divisions for the colts and geldings were won by Uriel Blue Chip and The Moment Arose.
A career-best 1:52.2 opening round winner, Uriel Blue Chip rebounded from a miscue in the second leg for another series score -- and the fastest of the colts -- with Jody Jamieson catch-driving for trainer Chantal Mitchell.
Uriel Blue Chip closed off a ground-saving trip from the backfield, slipping through in the stretch and taking off to win his division by four lengths in 1:53 flat as the pacesetting even-money favourite, Dows Up, faded. He paid $4.80 to win as the 7-5 second choice. Ossie The Second edged out Scribblers and Bar Down Jim for the runner-up role.
The Bettors Delight gelding is owned by Oompa S Farm Inc., William Ezzo, Robert Mondillo and Barry Spak.
The Gregg McNair-trained The Moment Arose followed up a 1:52.1 lifetime-best triumph a week ago with another winning effort in the series, with Trevor Henry in the driver's seat this time out.
Sent postward as the 1-2 favourite, The Moment Arose looped early leader Thersomthinggoinon after the opening panel and held off that rival at the end to win by half a length in 1:53.4, with Cheddar Duharas rounding out the top three more than five lengths behind. The Control The Moment colt paid $3 to win.
The winning connections were John Stamatis, Joseph Orofiamma and James Georgakopoulos.
This Pop-Up Series is for Ontario-sired three-year-olds that were non-winners of $20,000 in 2023 (minimum five starts).
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.