The connections of 38 Standardbreds entered their charges to contest Woodbine Mohawk Park's Tuesday, June 23 qualifying session, and thus a compact, six-race docket was conducted over a 'fast' track at the Campbellville, Ont. raceway.
Three-year-old Trixton filly Spirit Of Deo caught the attention of onlookers in Race 2, as the bay recorded her first charted mile since returning to Ontario.
Spirit Of Deo hosted Anthony MacDonald in the sulky, and, after a Post 3 start, the duo would go on to trot to a strong, gate-to-wire victory. The filly strode out early and was first down to the quarter (:28.2). MacDonald got a second-quarter breather into his charge, as the battery orchestrated a :58.2 opening half mile. MacDonald asked for trot into the final turn and Spirit Of Deo responded. The filly made her way along the turn with a :28 third panel and clicked off the three-quarters clock in 1:26.2. Spirit Of Deo, who had opened up many lengths on her rivals, continued to charge home, as she made her way to the wire with an in-hand :28.2 final quarter. When all was said and done, Spirit Of Deo posted a sharp, 1:54.4 win, and the margin of victory was six lengths. Jason McGinnis trains Spirit Of Deo for Thestable Spirit Of Deo.
Three-year-old Hes Watching colt Shelton Seelster was nominated to the Pepsi North America Cup, but was not sustained. Although Shelton Seelster no longer has 'Cup' aspirations, that did not stop the Bill Budd trainee from recording an opportunistic win for driver Jody Jamieson in Race 3. After having gotten away in fourth, Shelton Seelster watched as horses mixed it up on the front end through the fractions (:28.3, :58.2, 1:27.2). Jamieson positioned his charge second over for the journey home. When asked, Shelton Seelster kicked home in :27.2 and was one and three-quarter lengths clear at the wire in 1:55.2. Shelton Seelster, who was purchased for $130,000 at the 2018 London Selected Yearling Sale, is now owned by Menary Racing Inc., Kenneth Ewen, Bruce Norris, and Michael Guerriero.
Replays of the qualifying session appear below. Please note that Spirit Of Deo's race begins at roughly the 42:30 mark, while Shelton Seelster's race gets underway at roughly the 51-minute mark.
Joe King (1:54), Kenogami Coco (1:56.4), Chappiesboy (1:55.1) and Cue Hall (1:56) also recorded wins during the morning session.
To view the harness racing results from the Tuesday qualifying session at Mohawk, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).