Heavenly Hill was a witness to a wild, front-end battle in Monday’s $40,400 final of the Blossom Series at Mohawk Racetrack, and she had no problem picking up the pieces in the late stages of that rich contest.
In rein to Jonathan Drury, Heavenly Hill crossed into the three-hole when the starting gate sped away while Radar Trap shot to the top and sliced out the opening quarter in :27.2. Noone To Depend On popped out of the pocket going into the backstretch, but she couldn’t get around Radar Trap. Those two locked horns and battled through middle fractions of :55.2 and 1:24.2. Heavenly Hill swept three-wide coming out of the turn and drew clear to win by three lengths over Windsun Glory in 1:53.4. Third prize went to Evangelin Seelster.
Carmen Auciello trains the three-year-old daughter of Art Colony-Look Cheap for owner George Munniksma of Washington, NJ. The win improved the filly’s 2016 record to 3-0-3 from six starts while lifting her seasonal bankroll to $50,724. The five-time winner has stashed away more than $137,000 to date.
Monday’s card also featured the opening leg of the Tie Silk Series, with a set of $16,000 divisions for the three-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
Muscle Hustle snagged a 9-1 upset in the opening split for trainer/driver Per Henriksen. The son of Muscle Mass-Crown Laurel got away third and tracked Zagster to the quarter pole in :28.3. Henriksen moved his charge to the lead in the backstretch, and they proceeded to carve out middle panels of :58.4 and 1:27.3 over a track listed as ‘Good’. The colt then used a :29.3 closing quarter to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Chestnut Schofield in 1:57.1. Third prize went to On The Ridge.
Ecurie Bergh Inc of Norwood, Ont. owns the sophomore who was making his 2016 debut. The two-time winner lifted his lifetime earnings to $17.160 with the win.
Donicus was a wire-to-wire winner in the other division, and he truly showed no mercy to the rest of the field. Owner/trainer/driver Eddie Green had him on the lead through fractions of :28, :57 and 1:25.3 before coasting home in :30.2 to stop the clock in 1:56. The margin of victory was 13 lengths over P C Foreign Affair, who recovered from an early miscue. Taking home third prize was Blownoutofthewater.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, the son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Flying Dove Cafe improved this year's record to 6-0-2 from eight trips to the track. The seven-time winner lifted his lifetime earnings to $54,680 with the win.
Fearless Man took no prisoners in the $34,000 Preferred Trot for trainer/driver Rick Zeron, who went wire-to-wire with the speedster in 1:55. The gelding fired to the front and was untouched through fractions of :27, :55 and 1:23.4, and he only needed a :31.1 closing panel to hold on for the half-length decision over Hldontghttoyurdrms. Exemplar came on late to nab third prize.
The six-year-old son of Elegant Man-Lasting Beauty now owns a 4-2-3 record from 10 trips to the track this season for Rick Zeron Stables, Noblock Racing Stable, Murray Greenfield and Cool Cat Racing Inc. The 26-time winner has racked up more than $460,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.