Its Academic sprung the upset in Monday’s $36,000 Preferred Handicap Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park, but in all fairness – he had a little help from race favourite Oney Hall.
That trotter, in his quest for a seventh consecutive win, had an off night and left the door wide-open for an upsetter.
Its Academic shot to the early lead for driver Doug McNair and threw down an opening quarter clocked in :28 over the sloppy surface. Oney Hall was parked around the first turn and a portion of the backstretch before marching to the top and carving out middle panels of :56.3 and 1:27.1.
Perfetto applied first-over pressure on the favourite around the final turn, and he continued to apply that pressure as the field battled through the stretch. Oney Hall got out of gear late and that allowed Its Academic to shoot up the rail and secure the win in a time of 1:55.4. Perfetto was next best, with P L Jill taking home third prize. Oney Hall wound up settling for fourth after making the late miscue.
Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. recently purchased the three-year-old son of Uncle Peter-Annapolis and placed him in the care of trainer Richard Moreau. The victory improved the sophomore’s record to 7-5-1 from 14 starts this season. The 13-time winner has stashed away $455,234 to date.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.