Woodbine Mohawk Park’s program Tuesday, July 23 featured mostly two-year-old contests which featured sharp miles from many of harness racing’s potential stars.
Odds-on favourite Nylander opened the card with a seven-length romp against two-year-old trotting stock in a 1:58.2 mile. Driven by Mark Steacy for his son, trainer Shawn Steacy, the Muscle Hill colt secured the pocket from post 9 as Run Like Hill trotted the first quarter in :29.1. Steacy soon circled the colt to the front and held a loose lead through splits of :59 and 1:29.3. Turning into the stretch Nylander widened his margin while pursued by Run Like Hill, who held second from Svf Blushingbride kicking off cover.
A $105,000 Lexington-Select Yearling purchase, Nylander races for owners Steacy MacMillan Stable, Dale Larson, Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. and Stephen Klunowski. The $3.50 winner collected his first victory in his first start, earning $7,500.
Later on the card, the Bettors Delight colt Day Delight darted from the pocket to a five-and-a-half length victory against his class with a 1:53.3 mile. The Vic Puddy trainee cleared command from post 9 heading to a :27.2 first quarter but settled for the pocket as favourite Press Time brushed to the lead. Driver Jody Jamieson kept Day Delight on a helmet through a :56.2 half and by three-quarters in 1:25.2. Day Delight angled from the cones for the stretch drive and opened daylight on Press Time as he chased from second. Menlo Park, stalking from third, held third.
Owned by Bill Manes, Lloyd Stone, Wayne MacRae and 10462217 Canada Inc., Day Delight broke his maiden in his fourth start. The $55,000 Lexington-Select purchase has earned $10,320 and returned $9.60 to win.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.