It was a trot-heavy Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as the Campbellville, Ontario oval hosted a set of OSS Gold Series divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies in addition to the second leg of the Pure Ivory and Define The World Series for two-year-olds.
Smoke And Mirrors was 0-for-9 on the season going into the $95,600 opening division of the OSS, but she finally broke through for a victory for the tandem of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman.
Henry got away fourth with the filly, but he rushed her to the lead at the mid-way point in :57.2. She opened up some insurance lengths on the field at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3 before using a :29.3 closing panel to win by a pair of lengths over Collateral Beauty in 1:56.1. Miss Loo Loo Belle was third.
Sent off as the 3-2 favourite, the daughter of Kadabra-Soutaine Hanover improved her 2018 record to 1-0-2 from 10 trips to the track for owners Mel Hartman, David McDuffee and Little E LLC. The three-time winner bumped her lifetime earnings to $243,399.
Sorceress Seelster was in charge every step of the way in the second division, and she powered to a new lifetime mark for Team Wray.
Scott Wray had her on top through fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26 before letting her roll through a final frame of :28.1. She halted the teletimer in 1:54.1 while defeating Superlative and Illusioneesta.
Trainer Jack Wray co-owns the four-time winner with Thomas Wray of Schomberg, Ont. The $47,400 lion’s share of the purse booster her oval bankroll to $231,670.
The lone, $14,000 division of the Pure Ivory Series went to Minor Obsession in 2:00.2.
James MacDonald had the daughter of Muscle Mass-Celia Bleue on the lead through fractions of :29.4, 1:02.1 and 1:32.2 before asking his charge to fire home in :28 to seal the deal. Grimmie Hanover was second under the finish line, with third prize going to Angel For Life.
Trainer Mark Steacy co-owns the career winner of $10,500 with Salt Hill Farm Ltd of Pine Bush, NY. She was a $17,500 purchase from last year’s Goshen Yearling Sale.
All eyes were on the undefeated Royal Rob in the lone, $14,000 division of the Define The World Series, but he blew up shortly after the start and left the door open for an upsetter.
Smart As Hill was that upsetter for driver Roger Mayotte, who was able to sit a two-hole trip behind Cesar Du Haras through fractions of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4. Mayotte angled out in the lane and Smart As Hill kicked home in :28 to win over Blazing Trail in 1:59. Tempo-setting Cesar Du Haras was third.
Mike Keeling trains the son of Muscle Hill-Smarty Pants for Dreamville Stable and Harbor Racing Stable LLC. The colt, who upped his lifetime earnings to $19,180, has assembled a 2-1-1 record from his first four assignments.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.