In addition to one condition class at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (Aug. 17), the evening card was taken over by freshman trotters and pacers, each competing for a $17,000 purse in their respective classes, and by the Pop Up Claiming Series as part of the undercard.
Run The World Deo topped the freshman action, winning wire-to-wire in 1:53.
Phil Hudon and the Tony Alagna trainee left hard from post four to take the lead in the two-year-old filly pace. Run The World Deo maintained a 2-1/4 length advantage as she set the tempo through panels in :28 and :57.2. She marked the three-quarters in 1:25.2 before winning by 1-3/4 lengths. Wickedwoman De Vie (Sylvain Filion) rode the pocket trip to second and Tea Party Hanover (Scott Young) was third.
A first-time winner in three attempts, Run The World Deo (Stay Hungry-Double Jeopardy) is owned by Pryde Stables Inc., Brad Grant, Peter Alagna and Caviart Farms.
Dryden Hanover opened up the card with a 2:00 victory by a half length. Sylvain Filion was at the controls for Kyle Fellows.
After sitting second through a :29.2 opening panel, Dryden Hanover tipped out, took over and kept going through panels in 1:00.3 and 1:31.2. Hilarious Archie (Bob McClure) sought a challenge down the lane, but Dryden Hanover prevailed to collect his first lifetime win. Hilarious Archie settled for second and Game Stats (Young) maneuvered through traffic in the stretch to take third.
Yolanda Fellows, Windermere Stable LLC, Blair Corbeil and Arpad Szabo co-own the Walner-Dangle Then Deke gelding.
Billie Jean Queen won every pole in her class of freshman fillies with Filion guiding her along the way to her first career tally.
From post five in the field of 10, the Gabriella Sasso trainee flew to the front and never looked back, posting panels in :28.4, 1:00.1 and 1:30.1 before winning by three lengths in 1:58.4. Emoji Hanover (McClure) rallied from seventh to take second with Fitness Class (Rick Zeron) third.
Jeffrey Courchesne and Martwest Racing Stable co-own the Royalty For Life-South Bay daughter.
Minett concluded the two-year-old action for the evening, winning his first race by a nose in 1:54.1.
Trevor Henry sent the Ian Moore trainee to the top and they clocked the first panel in :27.3. Captain Luke (Jonathan Drury) never found the rail as he moved past the leading Minett to take over and lead the field of eight to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:25.3. Minett battled back down the lane and the two finished in a photo at the wire. Minett prevailed for the win with Captain Luke taking second. Do Mischief (Filion) rounded out the top three.
Moore co-owns the Always B Miki-Muskoka Moonlight colt with Mac Nichol, Bolton Farms LLC and Reginald Petitpas.
Five divisions of Pop Up Series classes went to the gate during the Thursday card, each offering a $15,000 purse.
Compassrose De Vie ($15.50) won her division by two lengths in 1:54.3 with Daryl Thiessen in the bike for trainer Jacob Roberts and owner Steve Adams.
Hello Rocky ($25.60) posted a 1:53.2 upset victory by 3-3/4 lengths with Drury at the controls for trainer Boyd Wilson and owner Jmr Racing Inc.
Filion earned two of his grand slam driving wins in the Pop Up Series, the first a half length victory with Raphael Bourassa trainee Sheplaysforkeeps ($5) in 1:55.2. Bourassa co-owns the mare with Kim Ebacher.
Filion also drove Three Somewhere to a 6-1/4 length romp in the fourth series division, winning in 1:53 for trainer Richard Moreau and owner Normand Beausoleil.
McClure and Machin A Trick closed out the evening card and the series action with a 1:54.1 victory by a neck for trainer Francis Guillemette, who co-owns the gelding with 2729346 Ontario Inc.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.