As the top three-year-olds in North American harness racing converge on Mohawk Racetrack tonight, those that hope to follow in their footsteps in 2011 hit the track on Saturday morning for 14 sets of qualifiers
.
The fastest rookie on the morning was pacing colt Mystician, who stopped the clock in 1:58.1 in his debut. Jody Jamieson was in the sulky for trainer-owner Jeff Gillis, who co-owns with Ken Henwood, Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay. A full brother to the likes of sub-1:50 winners Camystic and Fenman as well as $616,000 winner Lucks Mistress, Mystician (Camluck - Mystic Mistress) was a $45,000 yearling from the Canadian Open.
On the trotting side, another Canadian Open graduate was victorious to equal the quickest mile of the morning. Dancin Darlin (Angus Hall - Dance To Market), a $140,000 purchase of Mel Hartman, Doug Millard, LLK Stable and KR Stable, tripped the timer in 2:02.1 for trainer John Kopas and driver Jack Moiseyev.
David Lemon's homebred Daylon Magician (Kadabra - Daylon Marvel) made his first appearance on the track a memorable one when he trotted gate-to-wire for a three-length score, also with Moiseyev at the controls and also in 2:02.1. Lemon owns and trains the half-brother to multiple OSS winner Daylon Mystique.
After a 2:03.1 score last week, Mister Herbie returned to Mohawk and once again hit the wire first in his split. The $67,000 Canadian Open purchase of trainer Carl Jamieson and co-owner Tom Kyron changed up tactics after winning on the front end last week. This week, driver Jody Jamieson came from off the pace with Mister Herbie (Here Comes Herbie - Independent Lassie) and bested his qualifying foes in 2:02.1.
To view the full results from the morning slate at Mohawk, click here.