Round two of the Celias Counsel Series went postward on a frigid Thursday evening at Mohawk Racetrack, with Hape and Tymal Signature coming up big in their respective divisions.
Hape, who was a 1:57.2 winner in her week-one assignment, made a round trip to victory lane for trainer/driver Jack Moiseyev. The Pilgrims Taj-Carnac lass settled into third while Allies Gift marched to the lead and supplied the field with an opening quarter clocked in :29. Hape rushed to the lead in the backstretch and went on to post middle panels of :58.4 and 1:27.4 before kicking home in :29.4 en route to the 1:57.3 score. Four lengths in arrears was runner-up Giona, with third prize going to Allies Gift.
Joanne Colville of Moffat and Nancy MacNevin of Essex, Ontario share ownership on the three-year-old who is 2-for-2 this season after going 2-for-10 last year. The $7,500 payday bumped the youngster’s career bankroll to $42,900.
Tymal Signature turned a ground-saving trip into a maiden-breaking triumph in the second division for driver Mario Baillargeon. The homebred daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe-Blossom Seelster parked past the quarter pole in :28.3 before brushing to the top and enjoying a brief stint on the lead. Ladyone overtook her at the mid-way point in :57.3, and she proceeded to lead the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3. Tymal Signature angled off the pylons turning for home and only needed a :30.4 closing quarter to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Ladyone in 1:57.3. Race favourite Flexceptional was third.
Trainer Mark Etsell co-owns the filly with Rob Newton of Walkerton and Steve Organ of Aurora, Ontario. The partners watched the filly improve her 2015 record to 1-4-1 from nine trips to the track. She’s managed to stash away $24,210 to date.
The $35,000 final of the Celias Counsel Series is scheduled for Thursday, April 30 at Mohawk Racetrack.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.