Two-year-old trotters found themselves in the spotlight Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as the Campbellville, Ont. oval hosted opening round action of the Define The World Series and the Pure Ivory Series.
The boys were up first in a $15,000 division of the Define The World Series, and Horse Trader roared away from the competition late en route to a 1:56.3 triumph for the tandem of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Paul Walker.
The son of Wheeling N Dealin got away third in the early going while Ripped And Ready charged to the lead and laid down an opening quarter clocked in :29.3. Ripped And Ready was still the leader at the mid-way point in :59.4, but he was overtaken by Horse Trader at the three-quarter pole in 1:29. A :27.3 final frame earned Horse Trader the win by 2-3/4 lengths over heavily-favoured Nylander. Ripped And Ready was a well-beaten third.
Sent off at odds of 4-1, Horse Trader improved his rookie record to 2-0-1 from four tries for owner/breeder Oaklea Farm Inc of Simcoe, Ont. The homebred has potted over $30,000 to date.
Whose Blues made a big move in the backstretch for driver Bob McClure and used that move to propel her to a 1:57.2 triumph in the $15,000 division of the Pure Ivory Series for fillies.
McClure got away fifth with the odds-on favourite while Highland Foxytrotr darted to the top and sliced out the first quarter in :29.1. Intense Justice brushed to the lead in the backstretch, and was followed by Whose Blues. Intense Justice hit the half in 1:00 before giving way to Whose Blues. The favourite was comfortably in front at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.2, and she used a :28-second closing panel to win by a length over Intense Justice. Highland Foxytrotr took home third prize.
Luc Blais trains the filly for Determination of Montreal, QC. The $300,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale is now 2-for-2 to start her career.
The victory was one of three on the card for trainer Luc Blais and owner Determination. They also triumphed with Lus Illusion (1:53) and Champagne Jane (1:55.2).
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.