Thundering Jim went to the front and didn’t look back en route to a solid score in Thursday’s $25,000 final of the Pop Up Series for $9,500 claiming pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
With driver Doug McNair barking out orders from the bike, Thundering Jim motored to the lead from Post 6 and rolled the field through fractions of :27.1. :57.2 and 1:26.2 before feeling late pressure from race favourite Choreographer. Despite drifting out down the lane, Thundering Jim never relinquished the lead and used a :28.1 closing panel to win by a half-length margin over Choreographer in 1:54.3. Sports Jacket shook loose late be a lapped-on third.
Mike Kwietniowski owned and trained the gelding, who was later claimed from the winning effort. It marked the third straight score – and the fourth of the season – for the 26-time winner. The $12,500 payday for the six-year-old son of Woodstock-Emission Control pushed his lifetime earnings over $125,000.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.