Sophomore fillies Lyons Hedgeabet and Shotgun Sally captured finals of the Ontario-sired Harvest Series on Monday evening (November 12) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A field of six clashed in the $43,000 final for trotting fillies, while a full field of 10 battled in the $49,900 final for pacing fillies.
Lyons Hedgeabet picked the perfect time to break her maiden by winning the $49,900 final for pacing fillies in 1:52.3.
Driven by Bob McClure, Lyons Hedgeabet got away eighth from post position four. Race favourite Miss Rockadali, seeking a series sweep, shot out to the lead and posted a :26.4 opening quarter. D Gs Shadowsbell, also going for the sweep, was parked second and had to grind things out the entire mile on the outside.
Miss Rockadali rolled the field to the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:24.2.
McClure moved Lyons Hedgeabet ahead of the half into the outer flow and sat third-over sixth, just four lengths from the lead turning for home.
In the stretch, Lyons Hedgeabet stormed by rivals to the top and paced a :27.2 final quarter to score a convincing 4-1/4-length victory. D Gs Shadowsbell showed plenty of grit to finish second, while I Shadow U was third and Oxford Comma fourth.
Trained by Jeff Gillis, Lyons Hedgeabet finished third in last week’s second leg after a runner-up finish in a first leg division. The Mach Three filly was making her seventh career start on Monday and entered with a trio of runner-up finishes and trio of third-place finishes.
Owned by Geoffrey Lyons Mound, Lyons Hedgeabet increased her earnings to $39,800 with the maiden-breaking score. She paid $12 to win.
Johnny William filly Shotgun Sally and driver Paul MacKenzie showed plenty of patience in capturing Monday’s $43,000 Harvest Series final for trotting fillies in a career-best 1:56.4.
Power And Grace hustled off the wings of the gate to grab the top spot with last week’s second leg winner Miss Adam T getting away second before circling to the top early in the second quarter. Shotgun Sally got away fifth and sat in that same spot while Miss Adam T led the field by the half in :57.1.
MacKenzie gave Shotgun Sally her cue to go entering the far turn and the 6-5 favourite trotted up into third, just over two lengths from Miss Adam T at the third marker.
In the stretch, Shotgun Sally immediately powered by Miss Adam T and pulled away to a 5-1/4-length victory in 1:56.4. Miss Adam T finished second, while Gradabra rallied for third.
Trained by Todd Clements, Shotgun Sally won the opening leg of the series before being scratched from last week’s second leg due to transportation issues. She now has four wins in 26 starts this season.
Owned by Trisha Barsby, Shotgun Sally, who made just two starts as a rookie, has now earned $52,588 in her career. She paid $4.60 to win.
The Harvest Series was open to Ontario-sired three-year-olds, who were non-winners of $30,000 in 2018 as of September 30, 2018.
Dunbar Hall and driver Jody Jamieson got things their own way in Monday’s $34,000 Preferred Handicap Trot and turned it into a second consecutive victory at the top level.
A group of six battled in the weekly feature with star trotting mare Dream Together having issues before the start and never joining her rivals in the contest. The removal of a key contender allowed Dunbar Hall and Jamieson to claim the top spot in the early stages.
Dunbar Hall posted a :27.2 opening quarter before stealing away with a :59.3 middle half, while 6-5 favourite Dancer Hall sat in the two-hole.
In the stretch, Dunbar Hall sprinted home in :27 to win by two lengths in 1:54, the same clocking as his victory last week. Dancer Hall had to settle for second, while Big Rich was third and Catch The Dream fourth.
A four-year-old gelding, Dunbar Hall picked up his eighth win in 23 starts this season. He has now earned $217,930 in 2018 to bring his career numbers to 13 wins and $331,184 earned for owners Carl Jamieson and George Harrison. Stephanie Jamieson trains the winner.
A $2 win ticket on Dunbar Hall returned $4.80.
Live racing resumes Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)