Canada's reigning Horse of the Year, Michaels Power, earned the first win of his four-year-old campaign on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack in the $34,000 Preferred Pace.
Leaving from post five, driver Scott Zeron tucked Michaels Power in the two-hole behind inside starter Sparky Mark (Sylvain Filion) during a :26-second opening panel and followed along through middle splits of :54 and 1:22.1. As the pacers entered the stretch, Zeron pulled Michaels Power from the pocket and wore down Sparky Mark to prevail in a four-across finish with State Treasurer (Jack Moiseyev) slipping up the pylons to place and Upfront Hoosierboy (Chris Christoforou) closing on the outside for third. Sparky Mark ended up fourth, but just three-quarters of a length behind.
After a pair of off-the-board finishes in his first two Preferred starts this year, Michaels Power was sent postward as the 7-2 third choice and paid $9.20 to win.
The Camluck gelding watched his bankroll climb past the $1.5 million mark while notching his 17th career win for trainer Casie Coleman and owner/breeder Jeffrey Snyder of New York.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.