Thirteen trotting fillies from this year’s rookie class invaded Campbellville on Thursday evening as Mohawk Racetrack hosted the opening leg of the In Free Trotting Series.
Lady Laker cruised to an easy victory in her $20,000 division for driver Trevor Ritchie, who sat chilly on the filly all the way down the lane en route to the 1:59.1 score.
The Allen Tomlinson-trained daughter of Lockkeeper-Hyercast, who was sent off at odds of 5-2, was treated to a pocket trip behind Alphadoodle. That filly laid down panels of :29.4 and 1:00.4 before being prompted to the three-quarter pole in 1:31.1 by a tipped-out Lady Laker. Ritchie and Lady Laker used a :27.4 closing panel to win by four lengths over Crysti Dream in 1:59.1. Third prize went to Alphadoodle.
David Vanderhyde of Cedar Springs, MI bred and owns the second-time starter who won her debut over Hazel Park’s five-eighths of a mile oval in 1:59.4. She’s a full-sister to Lightning Lady (1:54.2 - $72,279).
Bethel Hanover went wire-to-wire in the second division for driver Randy Waples, who had plenty of lengths to spare on the competition at the line.
Waples quickly hustled Bethel Hanover to the lead from Post 6, and she successfully sliced out splits of :29.4, 1:01.1 and 1:30.3 before scooting home in a :29-second clip to win in 1:59.3. It was 6-1/4 lengths back to the runner-up, Lunch Time, with race favourite Bostonz Credit a distant third.
Staffan Lind trains the daughter of Donato Hanover-Beignet Hanover for Bender Sweden Inc of Vero Beach, FL. The filly was purchased for $43,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.