Driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Jonas Czernyson made the most of their visit to Mohawk on Monday evening thanks to their domination in the second leg of the Miss Versatility.
Maven and stablemate Dorsay captured their respective $30,000 divisions of the series, which features many of the Grand Circuit’s most talented older trotting mares.
Maven remains unbeaten this season in four starts following her victory in the opening tilt. Gingras got away fourth with Maven while Daylon Miracle hustled to the front and stole away with fractions of :27.3 and :56.4 before going into sprint mode and taking the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3.
Maven was on the move going into the final turn, but she was still three lengths away from the leader going into the final quarter of the mile. Maven used a :27.2 closing panel to surge to the lead and draw clear of Daylon Miracle by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3. Bax Of Life rallied from last to finish third.
“I didn’t think we were going to get there today,” trainer Jonas Czernyson said following the win. “Jody (Jamieson – driving Daylon Miracle) was on the front with an easy first half and I thought we were a little too far back. I always hate being undefeated because that means you’re getting closing to your loss, but she raced well today and we take it one race at a time.”
Owned by William Donovan, the daughter of Glidemaster M Stewart, celebrated her 19th career win while boosting her bankroll to $1,097,509.
In the other division Dorsay enjoyed a perfect, two-hole trip en route to posting a 1:54 score. Gingras and the daughter of Yankee Glide-Danae enjoyed a pocket trip behind Intense America through fractions of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.4. Gingras tipped his charge off the pylon as the field swung into the stretch, and Dorsay used a :27.4 final frame to win by a length over Real Babe. Pembroke Heat Wave was a well-beaten third.
“Yannick drove her very well tonight, got away second and that was perfect,” Czernyson said following the win. “She loves to race barefoot and today we decided to give it a try and it paid off. She’s coming along very well and coming into herself and hopefully we can have a good year.”
With the victory, Dorsay increased her bankroll to $181,223 for owner Consus Racing Stable Inc of Delray Beach, FL.
The third leg of the series takes place Friday, July 12 at The Meadowlands followed by the fourth leg at Tioga Downs on Sunday, August 25. The $150,000 (est.) final goes Thursday, September 19 at the Delaware County Fair.
(With files from WEG)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.