The only filly starting in the Baby To Boomer Series, Mystical River kicked off the elimination round on Sunday afternoon at Sudbury Downs going gate-to-wire for the Bodkins.
Mystical River won the first of two $6,500 eliminations in 1:58.2 for driver Robert Bodkin Jr. Favourite Jet Airliner (Richard Baker) finished three-quarters of a length behind from the pocket while Tell One Tell All (Wayne MacLean) was the best of the rest five lengths behind, trailed only by a pair of breakers.
The daughter of Red River Hanover and Mystical Ball is owned and trained by Robert Bodkin of Hanmer, Ont. The victory was the first for the sophomore filly, who was making her second start in Ontario after a 20-race campaign in Indiana.
In the second elimination, Put It In Gear and driver Justin Turcotte advanced first over from third at the half and took off on the field to win by seven and a half lengths in a new mark of 1:58.1. The popular No Pan Intended-Ground Level gelding was followed under the wire by Cycleholic (Gerry Belanger) and Matts Phil (David Dowling).
Unraced as a two-year-old, Put It In Gear earned his second win in a row and third in 14 starts. James Belanger trains the gelding for the Champlain Stables of Azilda, Ont.
The $21,400 Baby To Boomer Series final will take place next Sunday, June 16 at Sudbury Downs. The series is a late closer for horses that are five years old and younger and non-winners of one race or $7,500 in lifetime purses. Fillies and mares are allowed $10,000. Winners over $15,000 lifetime are not eligible.
David Dowling lead all drivers on the eight-race card with three wins, including the $6,000 Not Listed Preferred Pace with Shiny Mach. The Mike Lamoureux trainee held off last week's winner, Daddy Warbucks (Gerry Belanger), by a nose for the 1:55.1 triumph. The eight-year-old Mach Three gelding is owned by Carmen Belisle and Leanne Campbell of Val Caron, Ont. and Mary Jessica Lamoureux of Chelmsford, Ont.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Sudbury Downs.