The top pacers and trotters on the WEG Circuit were on display in a pair of $34,000 Preferred events on Saturday night (June 24) at Mohawk Racetrack.
Nirvana Seelster went down the road once again and picked up a 1:49.1 victory over six rivals in the Preferred Pace.
Trevor Henry guided the Bill Budd trainee to his seventh win of the season and third win in his last five starts. Nirvana Seelster cut out fractions of :26.2, :54.2 and 1:22 before digging in and pacing home in :27.1 to win by two and a half lengths over Fool Me Once. American Virgin finished third, while Ellis Park was fourth.
A six-year-old gelded son of Camluck, Nirvana Seelster was coming into Saturday’s start off a strong second-place finish in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup last week. The Budd trainee’s 30th career victory gives him $141,000 earned this season to bring his career earnings to $663,006 for owner Bruce Davy.
Nirvana Seelster paid $3.10 to win.
The Preferred Trot was the sight of a third consecutive victory for Windsun Revenge and a milestone for Il Sogno Dream.
Jeff Durham trainee Windsun Revenge grabbed the lead in the second quarter for driver Rick Zeron and posted solid fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.2 to lead the field of eight into the lane. Musical Rhythm, who was the early leader, turned in a solid bid to make things close, but Windsun Revenge held him off to win by a neck in 1:53. Lookslikeachpndale finished third, while Il Sogno Dream was fourth.
A six-year-old gelded son of Kadabra, Windsun Revenge now has three victories in six starts this season to bring his 2017 earnings to $59,800. Following Saturday’s victory, Windsun Revenge’s career numbers now sit at 18 wins and $424,363 earned for owners Robert Van Camp and Durham.
The public’s choice paid $4.50 to win.
The fourth-place cheque earned by Il Sogno Dream was enough to push the six-year-old stallion over $1 million in career earnings. The Victor Puddy trainee came into Saturday’s Preferred just $1,328 shy of the milestone.
A son of Cantab Hall, Il Sogno Dream reached the $1 million mark with 20 career victories for owners Bill & Dan Manes and Leonard & Randy Christopher. His career highlights include finishing fourth in the 2014 Hambletonian, winning the 2015 Allerage Trot and finishing second in the 2016 Maxie Lee.
Reaching milestones and competing on the racetrack is not the only thing keeping Il Sogno Dream busy this season, as he has also been standing stud at Mac Lilley Farms in Dutton, Ont.
The Puddy trainee is eligible to this year’s Maple Leaf Trot.
Live racing resumes Monday night at Mohawk. Post time is 7:30 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
For the official judges' report from Saturday's card, click the following link: Judges' Report - Mohawk - June 24.
(With files from WEG)