Trainer Carmen Auciello’s barn has been firing on all cylinders through the winter at Woodbine Mohawk Park and came through the Milton oval hot on Saturday (Feb. 19), winning four races including the $36,000 Preferred Pace and one of the four divisions for second-preliminary Pop-Up Series action.
From Auciello’s barn, Uhtred capitalized off a pocket trip to post a 1:52.1 win in the Preferred Pace. The five-year-old Art Major gelding grabbed the lead from post 6 to a :28.4 first quarter before yielding command in the backside to Commanding Officer. Jimmy Freight followed that move, but found himself stuck first over to a :56.1 half and through three-quarters in 1:24.1 before retreating into the stretch. That left room for Jody Jamieson to pull Uhtred from second and land the dealing blow on the leader through the lane, claiming victory by a half length while holding off a late bid from Beyond Better. Commanding Officer finished third and Cold Creek Cabo took fourth.
Owned by Earl Hill Jr. and Stephen Klunowski, Uhtred won his third race from seven starts this season and his 10th from 25 overall, pushing his earnings to $251,642. He paid $7.60 to win.
Later in the card, Auciello pupil Finkle Is Einhorn gave the conditioner a hat trick with a 1:55.3 win in the final of four divisions for a Pop-Up Series. The four-year-old Sunshine Beach gelding sat fourth through a :28 first quarter and :57 half before driver Doug McNair sprung him off the pegs and towards the lead to three-quarters in 1:27. He seized control off the corner and cruised to the beam 2-1/4 lengths better than Day Delight, who tracked the winner’s move to take second. Two For Tripping rallied for third and The Loan Ranger finished fourth.
Owned by Daniel Sarafian, Finkle Is Einhorn has won five races from 47 starts, earning $57,187. He paid $5.60 to win.
Auciello won a race between the Preferred and his Pop-Up victory with Points North ($5.20), who went coast-to-coast in a $25,000 conditioned pace. He completed the grand slam with a win in the nightcap by Intrigued Again ($17.10).
Saturday’s card opened with Pop-Up Series action, with Little Manny taking the opening division in 1:56.2.
Securing the pocket to a :28.3 first quarter, Little Manny stayed put behind pacesetter TJ Thunder to a :57.3 half but pulled from the cones to three-quarters in 1:27.1. TJ Thunder folded rounding off the bend while Little Manny motored home, crossing the line two lengths better than American Sniper sweeping home to take second. Come On Barney ground to the finish for third and Skylar closed for fourth.
A five-year-old gelding by Articulator, Little Manny won his second race from six starts this season and his 18th from 56 overall, pushing his earnings to $59,316. Dr. Trevin Shive owns and trains the $10.40 winner.
The Cullens teamed to take the second division of Pop-Up Series with Private Scott in 1:56.2.
Driver Travis Cullen had the Jodie Cullen trainee fourth to a :28 first quarter and blitzed for the lead moving to a :57.4 half. However, he raced parked by 3-2 favourite Snap Test through the final turn and to three-quarters in 1:26.2, but he nonetheless overpowered the pacesetter in the stretch while keeping Drivelikeustoleit at bay to win by a neck. Whatawaytogo took third and Snap Test settled for fourth.
Bred and co-owned by Brian Stephen Scott with Edward Scott, Private Scott won his sixth race from 43 starts, lifting his earnings to $43,718. He paid $6.30 to win.
Farmers Tan matched the fastest mile of the second preliminary with his pocket-popping victory in the third division, stopping the clock in 1:55.3.
Harry G set the tempo of :28.1, :58 and 1:27.2 with little challenge until the final turn, where Sights On You launched a bid out of third after the lead. Sights On You did grab the front straightening for the finish, though Farmers Tan found room to angle from the pocket and fire late, downing Sights On You by a half length at the beam. Good And Sweet rallied from last to finish third and Twin B Laker took fourth.
Trained and owned by Carol Voyer, Farmers Tan won his 20th race from 103 starts, pushing his earnings to $108,734. Doug McNair drove the six-year-old Always A Virgin gelding who paid $24.50 to win.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.