Nocturnal Bluechip scored his third Woodbine Preferred win of the season by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Mohawk Park.
A field of eight pacers, including three-year-old The Downtown Bus, clashed in the weekly $34,000 top-class event.
The Preferred opened with Always A Hotshot making the top and posting a :26.1 opening quarter before Easy Lover Hanover found the pylons and the top spot entering the backstretch. Nirvana Seelster moved out from fourth ahead of the half and charged up to poke a neck in front at the :54.4 station.
Nirvana Seelster cleared to the top and led around the far turn. Physicallyinclined pressed first over with a trio of followers in the outer flow, including Nocturnal Bluechip and driver Sylvain Filion who were fourth over and six lengths from the top turning for home.
By three-quarters in 1:22 and turning for home, American Wiggle came charging from second over with Jeff Gillis’ duo of The Downtown Bus and Nocturnal Bluechip rallying on the far outside. Nocturnal Bluechip lunged to the front in the shadow of the line to win by a nose over American Wiggle while The Downtown Bus finished third.
A five-year-old gelding, Nocturnal Bluechip now has three wins in his last five starts, all coming at the Preferred level. The Gillis trainee now has 10 wins and $132,350 earned in 27 starts this season for owner Nlg Racing Stable.
Nocturnal Bluechip improved his career numbers to 17 wins and $427,551 earned with his victory. He paid $11.40 to win.
Saturday evening’s card also saw Woodbine Mohawk Park recognized driver Louis Philippe Roy and trainer Carmen Auciello for recently capturing the Championship Meet driving and training titles.
A gift and sign presentation was conducted for Roy and Auciello in the winner’s circle.
Live racing resumes Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.
(with files from Woodbine Mohawk Park)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.