Calicojack Hanover, fresh off a romp in the Open 2 a week ago, stepped up to the $40,000 Open Pace level and flew to a 1:49.2 victory on Saturday, April 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Tyler Jones dropped him in fourth early behind a three-horse vanguard led by Poseidon Seelster (Bob McClure), who gave way to favourite Brue Hanover (James MacDonald) at the quarter in :26.1. The field went single file past the half in :54.3, with Its Saturday Night (Louis-Philippe Roy) angling off the pylons and flushing out Calicojack Hanover just past that point.
Calicojack Hanover rushed onto the scene at three-quarters in 1:22.3 and went to work on top-level stalwart Brue Hanover into the stretch. The battle was short-lived as Calicojack Hanover marched past the pacesetter inside 3/16ths, and he powered to the finish to prevail by two lengths. Dublin Dasher (Travis Cullen) flew from last at the eighth pole for third.
Calicojack Hanover is two-for-four on the year following back-to-back wins. The five-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Charisma Hanover has won 13 times and earned $553,288 from 46 career outings. Luc Blais trains the 2025 Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup winner for Determination of Montreal, Que. Win tickets returned $5.20.
Sophomores contested four Ontario-sired Spring Series finals on the card, starting with Dream For Peace in the $42,100 event for trotting colts and geldings. Fifth past the quarter in :27.3, Billy Davis Jr. hit the gas pedal on the colt and sent him first-over as the field bunched up following a first-turn break by Century Massiah (Phil Hudon). Dream For Peace struck the front at the half In :58.3, but Fourth Gear (Trevor Henry) rallied back at the rail and retook the advantage at three-quarters in 1:27.2. Dream For Peace geared up for another charge in the lane, and the son of Muscle Mass-Dream For Lindy took off in mid-stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56.1. Thor B Good (Jonathan Drury) rolled past Fourth Gear for place.
Dream For Peace improved his record to three-for-eight lifetime and his bankroll to $51,450 with the victory for trainer Shawn Steacy and owner-breeders Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. of Hudson, Que. and Bridle Path Stables Ltd. of Ossining, N.Y. The colt, a show finisher in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Final at two, started his campaign in the Spring Series and is now two-for-three. The win price was $3.40.
Just Business surged home in :27.4 and got up late to upset Elbows Up in the $42,200 final for distaff trotters. Scott Young positioned her fifth through a quarter in :27 before pulling her out in front of Bella Chica (Bob McClure) approaching the half in :57.2. Just Business then advanced uncovered, swung three-wide around the emerging Press On Ballykeel (Tyler Borth) at three-quarters in 1:26.4, and chased down Elbows Up (Davis Jr.) to win by a neck in 1:55.3. Upgrade (James MacDonald) was third.
Just Business made her career debut in March and has won twice in seven starts, earning $47,820. Gino Cicero of Melancthon, Ont. owns and trains the daughter of Muscle Mass-Amaze Me. The win payout was $14.30.
The pacing finals went to Angels Amoung Us and Letr Sink Son, both of whom were aggressive early from post 10. Angels Amoung Us was up first in the $44,500 filly pace, and Travis Cullen blasted out with the Jodie Cullen trainee to put her on top with :26.2 speed to the quarter. She took a breather to the half in :56, then picked up the tempo to three-quarters in 1:24.4 with favourite Aunt Gertrude (Anthony Haughan) marauding first-over. Aunt Gertrude and pocket-tripper Esmeralda Du Lac (Louis-Philippe Roy) could only chase as Angels Amoung Us dug in down the stretch to a two-length score in 1:53.2. Aunt Gertrude finished second over Esmeralda Du Lac.
Angels Amoung Us is a homebred for Jodie, Ron and Travis Cullen of Dundas, Ont. and Keith Hannah of Waskada, Man. The Shadow Play-Sing Like An Angel filly debuted in December last year and has collected 10 wins from 16 starts and $88,510 in earnings. She paid $7.40 in her ninth victory of 14 appearances this year.
In the $43,900 final for pacing males, Letr Sink Son flew to the top from the outside post in a :26.1 first quarter, accruing a 3-1/2-length lead at the first station. Travis Henry pulled the reins for a slower second quarter, getting him to the half in :56.4, and Letr Sink Son remained in command past three-quarters in 1:25.1. He brushed off the first-over Count On Gord (James MacDonald) as they straightened for home and held off three closing rivals to upset at 13-1 in 1:52.2. Dr Dave (Tyler Jones), a half-length back of the winner, closed for second over the pylon-shooting Thirty Six Red (Mark MacDonald).
Letr Sink Son was first and second in the series prelims, involved in a win photo in each start, and is now two-for-four in 2026. Trainer Boyd Wilson of Fergus, Ont. shares ownership of the Big Jim-Off The Shoulder gelding with Randy Wilson of Prince George, B.C. Letr Sink Son has won four times in 12 career starts and has earned $57,706. He paid $28.10 to win.
The Ontario-sired Spring Series was for Ontario-sired three-year-olds who did not earn $30,000 or more last year.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)