The photo finish camera was put to work in Monday’s $34,000 Tie Silk Series Final, and when the numbers were posted it was Covert Operative coming out on top.
Covert Operative, who was handled by Randy Waples, was in no hurry in the early stages of the mile. The gelding dropped into the six-hole while Hemi Seelster fired to the front and chopped out an opening quarter in :27.4. Tarot, who was parked at the opening marker, brushed to the top in the backstretch and cruised past the half in :57.1.
Hemi Seelster popped out of the pocket at the mid-way point of the final turn and went toe-to-toe with Tarot to the three-quarter pole in 1:26. Covert Operative moved to the outside in the backstretch and caught the cover of Hemi Seelster around that final turn. Hemi Seelster began bearing out in deep stretch, and that allowed Covert Operative to surge down the center of the track en route to posting the win by a neck in 1:55. Race favourite Hemi Seelster held on for the runner-up award, with third prize going to In Secret.
Per Henriksen trains the three-year-old son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Serenas Genie for Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc and ASA Farm. It was the fourth win of the season in six tries for the career winner of $53,400.
Windsong Leo pushed his winning streak to five-in-a-row later on Monday’s card thanks to his come-from-behind tally for driver Chris Christoforou.
The three-year-old son of Jeremes Jet-Windsong Goldie got away fifth while Camvicted and Aramblin Hanover battled to the quarter pole in :26.4. Aramblin Hanover eventually cleared, but he was then looped by Dixieland Band on the way to the mid-way point. Dixieland Band hit the half in :56, with Windsong Leo commencing a first-over bid.
Those two were side by side at the three-quarter pole in 1:25, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Windsong Leo found another gear and rocketed home to win by two lengths over Aramblin Hanover in a career-best clocking of 1:52.2. Camvicted was third.
Everette Hanson of Maugerville, New Brunswick owns the colt, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Danny O’Brian. The victory improved the pacer’s record to 5-1-0 from just six trips postward. He’s banked $37,500 to date.
Amora Beach, who is listed at 60-1Trot Magazine’s Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, won his 2015 debut in 1:53.4 for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Dave Menary.
The three-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Amora Hanover rallied to the career-best clocking of 1:53.4, and halted the two-race winning streak of heavily favoured P L Idaho in the process. Indian Outlaw was third in the $17,000 affair.
Menary Racing Inc, Brad Gray and Mike Guerriero share ownership on the two-time winner who is closing in on $50,000 in lifetime earnings. He was one of three winners on the Monday evening card for the tandem of Menary and Jamieson, who also clicked with Sportsmanship (1:52.4) and Nor Star Renegade (1:53.1).
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.