The Shawn Steacy trainee Take A Gamble ripped out of the pocket to claim victory in the opening round of the Ontario Boys Pacing Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday (Feb. 18).
Hesincontrol crossed over from post 9 to the point while driver Travis Cullen settled into second with Take A Gamble to a :28.2 first quarter. Odds-on favourite Century Hannibal started to roll first over out of fifth into the backside, gaining ground on Hesincontrol through a :58.1 half and to three-quarters in 1:26.1. But the favourite began to stall off the turn, giving Take A Gamble an opening to pull from the pylons and attack the leader in the lane. The four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding grabbed control in the straight and held off a late bid from Mustang Beach to pass the beam three-quarter lengths better in 1:54. Hesincontrol faded to third and Century Hannibal finished fourth.
Owned by Stephen Klunowski, Take A Gamble won his sixth race from 28 starts, pushing his earnings to $113,145. Shawn Steacy trains the $20.60 winner.
A second round for Pop-Up Series action also went to gate on the 11-race card with two dashes for $15,000. American Tour N swept to the top and held command to the finish to take the first division in 1:57.3.
Leaving from the pylon post, the eight-year-old American Ideal mare sat off a :29.3 first quarter set by JMR Mach Mel, who launched from post 8 to the point entering the first turn. Driver Jonathan Drury then cued American Tour N to make her move past a :59.4 half, and she rushed to take the lead and open three lengths on her rivals to three-quarters in 1:28.4. From there, the Carmen Auciello trainee coasted to the finish, winning by a length over even-money favourite Kat. Dilly Taryn took third and Ladies From Hell finished fourth.
Owned by Stephen Klunowski, American Tour N won her 18th race from 103 starts, pushing her earnings to $127,699. She paid $6.50 to win and was one of three winners on the night for Carmen Auciello. His other two victories came later in the card with Better Be Donna N ($9) and Kickupyaheels N ($6.10).
Saulsbrook Flashy took the other division of the Pop-Up Series, holding on by a neck to win in 1:57.4.
Driver Doug McNair dashed the five-year-old Hes Watching mare to the top out of fourth after a :29 first quarter and cleared control before a :59.4 half, where Cayo Loco lunged towards the top and took a brief lead but stayed alongside to pressure the pacesetter around the final turn. Saulsbrook Flashy retook the lead with the inside route to three-quarters, timed in 1:28.2, and turned for home with a live backfield in pursuit. Cayo Loco faded from the mix while Sunny Sicily swung to the center of the track and closed quickest of all, but hit the line just short of victory. Happy Looker also closed to take third with Outlaw Imahotvixen finishing fourth.
Trained by Stephen Charlton for owner Larocque Racing Stable Inc., Saulsbrook Flashy won her seventh race from 59 starts, pushing her earnings to $63,063. She paid $4.10 to win.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.