2008 O'Brien Award winner Nebupanezzar recorded its second qualifier in as many weeks during the seven-race qualifying docket this morning at Mohawk
Racetrack in Campbellville, Ont.
In rein to regular pilot Steve Condren, Nebupanezzar, a three-year-old gelded son of No Pan Intended, took over control before the half and went on to post a three and three-quarter-length victory in 1:52.4. After the :28.3 opening quarter, the pupil of trainer Bob McIntosh cut the remaining fractions in :57 and 1:24 before coming home with a 28-second final quarter.
Nebupanezzar's victory came over Casie Coleman student Clowns Smile, the five-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding which was racing its second qualifier back since competing in the Molson Pace May 29 at Western Fair Raceway. Clowns Smile left from Post 9 in the qualifier and raced overland during the middle half of the mile before finishing up its mile in 1:53.3.
Longbeach Tuffy emerged victorious in Race 1. The five-year-old Tuff As Millie gelding stepped to a wire-to-wire, one-and-a-quarter-length victory in 1:58.2 for trainer Ian Downey and driver Jason Brewer.
Race 3 saw four-year-old Yankee Glide gelding Hot Rod Yankee trot to a neck victory in wire-to-wire fashion from Post 8. The winning driver-trainer combo was Brewer and Downey yet again. The win time was 1:58.1.
Race 4 was the scene of another gate-to-wire victory, this time by trainer-driver Darren McCall and two-year-old Modern Art colt Business Man. The fractions were cut in :32, 1:00.4 and 1:29.2 before the colt came home with a :30.2 final quarter to stop the clock in 1:59.4.
Driven by Mike Saftic for trainer Harris O'Brien, Boss Commando proved to be just that in Race 5, as the three-year-old CR Commando gelding trotted to a 10 and three-quarter-length victory in 2:00.3.
Two-year-old Astreos filly Warrawee Lil popped the pocket on the final turn and put it into another gear in Race 6. With trainer-driver Fred Jamieson in the bike, the bay went on to post a 14 and a half-length victory in 1:59.3.
Things were rather the same in Race 7, as two-year-old E L Stewart gelding Vermo pulled the pocket after the three quarters and went on to post a five and a half-length victory in 2:01.2 for trainer-driver Riina Rekila.
Click here to view the harness racing results from the Mohawk qualifying session.