After dry conditions graced the first Pop-Up Series final on the Thursday night (Nov. 17) card at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a torrential snow pour fell on the track for the $25,000 Pop-Up Series Trot, where 9-5 favourite Brash Lady survived the conditions and her challengers to win in 1:58.4.
Belvedere Franklin pushed from the pylon post to lead to a :29.1 first quarter, but yielded command to Lilys Lass nearing the backstretch. Driver Bob McClure then moved Brash Lady out of fourth and marched forward to seize control past a :58.3 half to then widen her lead to three-quarters in 1:27.2. But the four-year-old Royalty For Life mare shortened stride for home and Zip Me Up launched from the backfield with late interest all through the straightaway. Brash Lady held tough to the finish and kept a head in front at the beam while Zip Me Up settled for second, Make It Easy took third and Commemorative finished fourth.
Shane Weber trains Brash Lady for owner-breeders Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin. She won her second race from nine starts and has now earned $31,240. He paid $5.80 to win.
Cocktail Carol catapulted from off the speed in the $25,000 Pop-Up Series Fillies and Mares Pace to score a 12-1 upset in 1:55.3.
Academy Seelster zipped to the lead to a :27.1 first quarter and coasted to a :57 half and 1:26.2 three-quarters. Odds-on favourite Mending Fences pushed first over from fifth through the final turn and through the stretch as Academy Seelster folded and pocket-sitter Chedda Chedda snuck to a narrow lead. All the while driver Sylvain Filion kicked off cover from second over and rallied through the lane to catch her peers in time and win by a neck. Sunburnt kicked off a pylon trip for second with Mending Fences taking third and Chedda Chedda settling for fourth.
A three-year-old filly by Believeinbruiser, Cocktail Carol competes for trainer Louie Eftimiadis. The Gerald Mijal homebred won her third race from 27 starts and has now earned $38,190. She paid $27.50 to win.
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.