Two series wrapped up and another one kicked off on Monday evening at Mohawk Racetrack. Fans were treated to finals of the Summertime Pacing Series and the Dream Maker Pacing Series plus the opening leg of the Bridger Trotting Series on the 12-race card.
State Treasurer was a powerhouse winner in last week’s second leg of the Summertime Pacing Series, and it was a carbon copy performance in Monday’s $60,000 final for Team Moore. Tyler Moore got away third before brushing to the lead in the backstretch and after slicing out middle splits of :55.1 and 1:23 the three-year-old son of Real Desire-Ideal Treasure used a :27-second final quarter to seal the deal by 3-1/4 lengths. Longshot Twin B Impressive enjoyed a pocket trip and finished second, while Long Live Rock survived a first-over trip to grab the show dough.
“Once I got to the front, the horse settled down really nice and he actually relaxed for me a little bit,” said driver Tyler Moore after the win. “He waited for them to come and when they did come, he had a ton of gear left for them so I felt good.”
Dr. Ian Moore trains the colt for owners Sally MacDonald of Souris, PE and Sophie MacDonald of Regina, SK. It was the fifth win of the season in 11 tries for the six-time winner who boosted his lifetime earnings to $241,886 with the victory.
The rookies put on quite a show in the $50,000 final of the Dream Maker Pacing Series, with Evenin Of Pleasure and driver Sylvain Filion taking home top honours in a time of 1:52.2. Lucan Hanover shot to the early lead and took the field past the quarter pole in :27.2 before Filion popped out of the pocket with Evenin Of Pleasure and marched his charge to the motor. Evenin Of Pleasure sped through middle splits of :55.3 and 1:24.3 before using a :27.4 kicker to win by a length over Dress The Part. Captive Audience rounded out the Triactor ticket.
“He felt so good,” said driver Sylvain Filion. “I thought if I could control the pace I had a better shot. He was so good. Once I cleared to the front, there was no way that they were going to go by me. I could have stayed there (in the pocket); I just went on the safe side.”
Richard Moreau, who is WEG’s winningest trainer of 2012, conditions the son of Dragon Again-Armbro Amour for owner Gestion Jean Yves Blais of Montreal, QC. Purchased for a mere $15,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, Evenin Of Pleasure pushed his cash stash to $41,440 with the win.
Wheeling N Dealin is now a perfect two-for-two thanks to his front-stepping triumph in the first division of the Bridger Trotting Series. The colt prevailed in his opening round assignment in a time of 1:57.2 for driver Sylvain Filion. Wheeling N Dealin sat fourth while Kinetic King took the field past the quarter pole in :29.1, but those two engaged in battle at the half in 1:00. Wheeling N Dealin sprinted to the lead in the backstretch motored to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.2 before using a :29-second final frame to notch the win. It was 4-1/4 lengths back to runner-up Theatrical Session, with Kinetic King grabbing third prize.
Dustin Jones trains the rookie, who was a $100,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, for Ecurie Synergie of Montreal, QC. It was a lifetime best performance for the career winner of $19,000.
Winbak Sullivan, a first-time starter sent out by trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman, turned a two-hole trip into a 1:59 victory in the second division. The son of Angus Hall-Marie E Hanover and driver Sylvain Filion stalked Hobsons Choice through intervals of :29.1, 1:00.2 and 1:30.1 before out-sprinting that foe to the finish. A :28.2 closing panel earned Winbak Sullivan the win over Hobsons Choice by 1-1/2 lengths. Shimmering Crown rallied from far back to finish third.
Enzed Racing Stable Inc of Allentown, NJ owns Winbak Sullivan, who was purchased for $25,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale. The youngster is a half-brother to Hang Time (1:56.3 - $310,486) and Fitness Girl (1:56 - $247,148).
The $30,000 second leg is scheduled for Thursday, August 9, with the $50,000 final slated for Monday, August 20.
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.