Almost There Boss really was 'there' on Thursday (Aug. 24) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, using a pocket trip to victory in the $20,000 Pop Up Series final.
Beef N Cheddar (Louis-Philippe Roy) was the pacesetter for the mile, leading the pack of 10 pacers through panels in :25.4, :55.3 and 1:24. Almost There Boss and Doug McNair followed Beef N Cheddar's lead throughout the mile, waiting until the stretch to make a move. Tipping out in the lane, Almost There Boss stretched out his legs and won by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.1. Machin A Trick (Austin Sorrie) maneuvered in the stretch to go from the back of the pack to a second-place finish. Brookdale Seb (James MacDonald) got up to take third.
Duane Marfisi trains the four-year-old Sunshine Beach gelding for owners Roy Sproxton, Harbhajan Singh Dhillon, Darryl Kaplan and Green And Gold Ltd. The gelding earned his second win of the season and seventh career victory, moving his career bankroll to $87,544. Almost There Boss paid $7 to win.
Sheplaysforkeeps took her $20,000 Pop Series final with James MacDonald in the bike for trainer Raphael Bourassa.
MacDonald and Sheplaysforkeeps got away fifth from post eight in the field of 10 pacers. After maintaining fifth on the rail through panels in :25.4 and :54.3, MacDonald pulled his right line to move three-wide. The field fanned out past the three-quarters in 1:23.1 and Sheplaysforkeeps was five-wide as she closed in on the leader in the stretch drive. With enough time at the end, Sheplaysforkeeps won by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.2. Hurrikane Msrodine (Doug McNair) finished second and Going Yard (Travis Cullen) rounded out the top three.
Kim Ebacher and Raphael Bourassa co-own the six-year-old Betterthancheddar mare as she earned her lifetime best time in seven career victories. She pushed her career earnings to $109,633. Sheplaysforkeeps paid $7.40 to win.
In addition to the two $20,000 finals, two $15,000 Pop Up Series consolations were contested to conclude the Thursday evening card with Liberty Royal and Head Honcho each taking their respective split.
Liberty Royal (Travis Cullen) got away seventh in his split and maintained that spot through every panel in :26.3, :55.3 and 1:25 before charging home to win by a stunning 5-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3. Lil Red Sportsstar (James MacDonald) finished second and Cereal Killer (Austin Sorrie) took the show spot.
Vicki Gregg trains the sophomore Royal Mattjesty gelding for Ross Family Farms Ltd. Liberty Royal earned his new career mark in the mile and paid $5.90 to win.
James MacDonald and Head Honcho ended up sixth off the car in their class. MacDonald moved the Alvin Hamilton trainee after the opening panel in :26.3 and started on a second-over journey through fractions in :55.4 and 1:25. Around the final turn, the pair cleared the lead and kept on going to win by three lengths in 1:53.3. No Time At All (Phil Hudon) was second with Dice R Out (Jonathan Drury) third.
William Thompson owns the four-year-old Control The Moment son as he earned his sixth seasonal and sixth career tally in a career-best mark. Head Honcho paid $3.20 to win.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.