Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings went toe-to-toe in a trio of OSS Gold Series divisions Thursday evening at Mohawk Racetrack, and for one special colt – winning his assignment was a piece of cake.
Harper Blue Chip is his name, and winning was his game in his $70,000 assignment. The O’Brien Award-winning son of Majestic Son-Winning Jonlin and driver Sylvain Filion floated off the gate before rushing to the front in the backstretch, and once they cleared it was game over for the others. Harper Blue Chip cruised through middle fractions of :57 and 1:26.4 before kicking home in :29.2 to post the win by 2-1/2 lengths over Ole Jack Magic in 1:56.1. Keystone Trevor grabbed the show dough.
Fresh off a third-place finish in the Hambletonian, Harper Blue Chip improved his 2014 record to 3-2-2 from eight tries for trainer Mark Steacy. Landmark 6 Racing Stable, David MacDonald, David Reid and George Judson share ownership on the talented youngster, who was sent off as the 1-9 favourite in the rich affair. The lion’s share of the purse bumped his bankroll to $495,313.
P L Hercules won as he pleased in his division for the tandem of driver Doug McNair and trainer Matt Dupuis. Sent off as the 8-5 favourite, P L Hercules took over the lead in the backstretch and fronted the field through panels of :57 and 1:26.2 before fending off a late challenge en route to posting the 1:56 win. Runner-up Windsun Revenge’s late bid came up just a quarter of a length short. Verdi took home third prize.
Bred and owned by Prince Lee Acres of Uxbridge, Ontario, the son of Majestic Son-P L Corina won for the fourth time this season in just seven tries. His share of the loot lifted his lifetime earnings to $129,464.
Maximuscle took the final division in 1:54.3 for trainer Eric Valiquette, who watched the son of Angus Hall-Iceberg Angus dominate earlier this year against weaker rivals in Quebec. The colt was rushed to the front from Post 7 by driver Jody Jamieson, and he successfully chopped out fractions of :28, :58 and 1:26 before turning back a late challenge from the race favourite, Muscle Matters. Maximuscle won by a half-length margin over Muscle Matters, with See The Wind a well-beaten third.
The win improved the colt’s 2014 record to 6-1-1 from eight starts, and it was the 11th victory in 15 career starts. Ecurie Provoquante of Mirabel, Quebec bred and owns the winner of $96,034.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.