Giddy Up Max did just that as he proved to be quickest amongst six $10,000 divisions of Pop-Up Series action on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
It was the second leg of the Pop-Up Series for $8,000 claiming pacers who were non-winners of $4,000 in their last five starts, featuring three divisions each for male and female competitors.
Giddy Up Max and driver Billy Davis Jr. landed in the pocket position from post seven behind Very Blue Chip (Brett MacDonald) to the quarter in :28. After a half of :56.2, Giddy Up Max surged alongside the leader from the two-hole to grab a short lead at three-quarters in 1:25.3. The lead expanded in the lane, with Giddy Up Max pouring it on to score by two lengths over Dirty Lil Piglet (James MacDonald) in 1:55.1. Raising Sand (Trevor Henry) finished third, 10-1/4 lengths behind the winner.
The Victor Puddy trainee paid $11.70 to win at the betting windows for the mild upset. The victory was the first in nine outings in 2025 for Giddy Up Max (pictured above), who sports a career bankroll of $152,369 for owner David Shea.
Driver Louis-Philippe Roy swept the two remaining divisions for males on a night he steered four winners, scoring with Bring Your Fire ($11.60, 1:55.3) and Bet Ninteen ($7.20, 1:56.1).
Hillbilly Jet and driver Trevor Henry scored from well off the pace in the quickest division for fillies and mares. After turning for home sixth, Hillbilly Jet surged late to sweep by Rambaran Rose (James MacDonald) and Beth (Louis-Philippe Roy) to score in 1:57.2 by 1-1/4 lengths.
Hillbilly Jet returned $18 for the 8-1 upset victory. Trained by Cory Fuller, the 11-year-old daughter of Ponder-Adept Yankee is owned by Kyle Strejch and Perry Benteau. She has banked $320,537 lifetime.
Tyler Borth guided Horizon Seelster ($2.80, 1:57.3) to victory in the second division while Scott Young and Del Diggity ($3.90, 1:57.4) took the third and final division for fillies and mares.
The third leg for each Pop-Up Series will be contested on Thursday, March 6 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with the $20,000 finals set to go on Thursday, March 13.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)