Claiming pacers battled in a pair of Pop Up Series divisions Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as the Campbellville oval hosted the third – and final – leg of the event. Lyons Image prevailed in his $12,000 division in what was a short – but sweet – stay in the barn of trainer Bruce Goit. Travis Cullen got away fourth with the gelding who watched Ateyatefngerslouie roll the field past the quarter pole in :29.2. Cullen put his charge into gear in the backstretch, and after clearing to the lead in quick order they took the field through middle splits of :59 and 1:28.1. A :27.4 final frame sealed the deal for the seven-year-old son of Rockin Image-Lyons Puddin Pie who won by 1-1/4 lengths over race favourite Ateyatefngerslouie in 1:56. Bronsons Delight was third.
Craig Ellis of Barrie, ON owned the pacer, who was then claimed from the winning effort. The victory improved his 2022 record to 2-1-1 from eight attempts. The 17-time winner has banked over $135,000 in his career. Sports Jacket turned a two-hole trip into a solid score in the second division for the tandem of driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Cassidy Schneider. The six-year-old son of Sportswriter-Greenwich Girl sat a pocket trip behind Elroy Shiner who was on the hook for supplying sensible fractions of :28.4, :58 and 1:27.2. Sports Jacket angled out in the lane and used a :28.1 final frame to win by a head over Elroy Shiner in 1:56. Mission Three took home third prize.
Sent off as the 7-5 favourite, Sports Jacket nabbed his first win of the season for owner Francois Morin of Beauceville, QC, who then lost the pacer via a claim from the winning effort. The 20-time winner upped his lifetime earnings to $99,837 with the win. To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.