The hard-closing Black Betty was bet off the board in Thursday’s $25,000 final of the Pop Up Series, but despite the leader getting the jump on the field around the final turn she managed to kick home strong enough to secure the popular win at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Black Betty, who was sent off as the 1-9 choice in the five-horse affair, got away fourth for driver Louis-Philippe Roy while Century Georgia muscled to the top and carved out fractions of :28.1, :58 and 1:26.3. Black Betty was on the move to the outside heading into the final quarter of the contest, but she was still 7-3/4 lengths away from Century Georgia. Roy called on the Patrick Shepherd pupil to pace coming off of the final turn, and she stormed home in :27.2 to win by three-quarters of a length over Century Georgia in 1:55.3. Latte Seelster was third.
The five-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar-Windsun Rain, who had been owned by Robert and Ronald Woodburn, was claimed from the winning effort. It was her second win of the season and the eighth of her career. The $12,500 payday bumped her lifetime earnings to $66,234.
Thursday’s card also featured leg two of the Pop Up Series for claiming pacers with the first division going to heavily-favoured Thundering Jim for driver Jonathan Drury and trainer Carmen Auciello. Drury put the gelding on the lead from Post 4, and after parking Larjon Lucky through fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.4 he stepped off a final quarter in :29 to fend off pocket-sitting Just Marvelous by a head in 1:55.4. Bronsons Delight took home the show dough.
Sent off as the 2-5 choice, the six-year-old son of Woodstock-Emission Control posted the win for Dan Sarafian of Unionville, ON. He lost the pacer via the claim following the winning effort. It was the second triumph of the year and the 24th to date for the career winner of $113,469.
Kingofbrokenhearts turned a two-hole trip into a triumph in the second division for driver Jody Jamieson. He put the gelding on the lead early, but was overtaken in the backstretch by the pocket-popping favourite, Lyons Image. The new leader cruised through middle panels of :57.2 and 1:26.3 before being collared in the lane by Kingofbrokenhearts. His closing speed of :28.2 was enough to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Ajknight in 1:55.2. Taking home the final spot on the Trifecta ticket was Lyons Image.
The seven-year-old son of Western Terror-Shimmer posted his second win of the season for owner/trainer Courtney Bishop. The pacer was claimed from the winning effort. The 13-time winner bumped his overall bankroll to $111,052.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.