Colts and geldings battled in round two of the Harvest Series Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with divisions going to No Free Lunch, Rau Ru and Publicity Seeker.
No Free Lunch, who was a beaten favourite in leg one of the series while finishing second, was a front-stepping winner in his $17,000 assignment for driver James MacDonald and trainer Harry Poulton.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, No Free Lunch battled with Shazam Blue Chip to the quarter pole in :27.1 before marching past that foe and grabbing the top spot. No Free Lunch led through middle panels of :57 and 1:26.1 before using a closing quarter of :28 to win by six lengths over Shazam Blue Chip in 1:54.1. Bet On Blake was third.
Thestable No Free Lunch of Guelph, Ont. owns the two-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-Simply Mavelous. It was his third win from 10 starts and the $8,500 payday pushed his overall cash stash over $40,000.
Rau Ru was a popular winner in the second division for driver Paul MacDonell and trainer Clark Beelby.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite after taking his week one assignment, Rau Ru parked past the quarter in :27.1 before marching to the lead. He then carved out fractions of :57 and 1:26.1 before using a :28.1 closing frame to win by a head over the tandem of Mustang Beach and third-place finisher Mr Charisma.
The two-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Band Of Angels, who is owned by Coyote Wynd Farms of Vancouver, BC, now boasts a 3-0-1 record from seven trips to the track. He’ll go into next Thursday’s final with just of $30,000 in earnings.
The lone division for two-year-old trotters went to Publicity Seeker and driver Doug McNair. The Steve Bossence pupil was a 1:57.3 in week one of the series.
The son of Muscle Mass-Pretty Crafty got away second before moving to the lead in the backstretch. After Insanity put up the first quarter in :29, Publicity Seeker took charge and threw down middle splits of :59.1 and 1:30. He then used a :28.1 closing quarter to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Warrawee Windsor in 1:58.1. Mystic was third.
Bossence shares ownership on the gelding with partners Richard Thompson and Derek Reid. They’ve watched the youngster assemble a 4-0-0 record from seven starts while banking $39,860.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.