O'Brien Award winner Monkey On My Wheel earned the first victory of her aged career with a 1:51.3 wire-to-wire score in the $42,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace during Friday night's harness racing card at Mohawk Racetrack.
With Keith Oliver catch-driving, Monkey On My Wheel blasted off the gate from post six and crossed down to the pylons well before the first turn. The four-year-old daughter of Mach Three proceeded to lead the way through fractions of :28.1, :57.3, and 1:23.3 en route to the one and three-quarter length triumph over pocket-sitter Strike An Attitude (Randy Waples). Tea Party Princess (Rick Zeron) rallied off favourite Western Silk's (Jack Moiseyev) cover to finish third.
Monkey On My Wheel paid $14.70 to win as the 6-1 third choice. The millionaire mare is owned by trainer Travis Umphrey of Guelph, Ont., breeder Mac Nicol of Burlington, Ont. and partner Timothy Kane of St. Albert, Alta. Monkey On My Wheel now has four top three finishes in 10 outings this year with seasonal earnings totalling $64,960. Friday's win improved her lifetime record to 11-12-3 in 35 starts and leaves her just shy of the $1.1 million earnings mark.
Richard Moreau and Tony O'Sullivan enjoyed training triples during the 13-race card.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.