Trained by Nick Gallucci, two-year-old stakes winner Chain Gang headlined Monday morning's (July 31) qualifying session at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A Millar Farms homebred, Chain Gang (pictured above) won an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division in 1:53.3 in his July 10 career debut at Mohawk but was scratched sick from the second Gold leg. Driven by James MacDonald, the Bettors Delight-Duostep Hanover colt was back in action on Monday morning and posted the fastest mile of a half-dozen two-year-old qualifiers as he took the lead after the first quarter and won in 1:54.2 with a :27 final frame. Early leader Storm Shadow followed 4-1/4 lengths behind in second with Captains Quarters back in third.
Willowtime was the fastest two-year-old on the trot, staying on task after a pair of miscues in his first two outings to win in 1:57.4 while extending his lead to 19 lengths. Trainer/driver Mark Etsell co-owns the Lookslikeachpndale-SOS Respect colt with breeder Terry Devos and Peter Porter. Six Gun Yankee and E L Titantic were second and third.
The first foal out of O'Brien Award winner and two-time Breeders Crown champion Emoticon Hanover debuted during the morning session as the Muscle Hill miss Drawn Impression won her qualifier in 2:01.1 for trainer Luc Blais and owner/breeder Determination. Drawn Impression followed in third most of the mile before trotting by leader Kiss Me Zette in a :29.3 final quarter to win by 3-1/2 lengths in rein to Louis-Philippe Roy.
After the freshmen finished their preps, six-year-old pacer Uncle Shank A toured the Campbellville oval in 1:52 flat -- the fastest mile of the 10 qualifying races -- winning by 15 lengths with James MacDonald along for the ride. Chantal Mitchell trains the Australian-bred son of Warrawee Needy who has won back-to-back qualifiers in preparation for his Canadian racing debut for owner Kevin Harvey.
A replay of Mohawk's live stream from the qualifiers is available below.
For complete results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Monday Results (Qualifiers) - Woodbine Mohawk Park.