The 2024 Peaceful Way and William Wellwood Memorial Trot undercard featured number of competitive open events, including a $40,000 Preferred Pace that served as a prep race for a number of Canadian Pacing Deby contenders.
The undercard also featured a stellar eight-horse field in the $36,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace and a $35,000 two-year-old Open Trot to kick off the card.
Fitting that a horse with connections to the late Bill Wellwood would find the winner's circle on the card with the race named in honour of the Hall of Fame horseman. It was Night Phantom, a son of Walner - Dark As A Pocket, that prevailed in the $35,000 Two-Year-Old Open Trot in 1:55.2. Bob McClure had the 14-1 shot in the pocket early behind Chicago Hall (Anthony MacDonald) but decided a front-end trip was more to his liking. After a :58.2 half, Night Phantom fended off the bid from Tregaron (Scott Young) for the half-length score and new lifetime mark. Southwind Milk (James MacDonald) flattened out in third as the 1-9 favourite.
Mike Keeling trains Night Phantom, and co-owns the colt with Jean Wellwood, Paula Wellwood and Devin Keeling as Dreamville Stable. The trotter picked up his second career victory, paying $30.30 to win on this occasion.
On a night that wasn't kind to post-time favourites, Tells On A Roll ($18.50) showed she's more than just a Preferred mare when the Grand Circuit mares aren't in town with a win in the $36,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap against some of the division's best.
Travis Cullen pointed Tells On A Roll forward off the gate from post six and landed on the lead early. The 1-2 favourite came to call, that being Silver Label and driver Doug McNair. Silver Label cleared Tells On A Roll after a sensible :27 opener. After uncontested middle panels of :55.2 and 1:23.2, the advantage appeared to be in the corner of the pacesetter. Silver Label closed in :26.4 off those fractions, but Tells On A Roll slipped out of the pocket and closed in :26.3 to collar Silver Label by a half-length for the 1:50.3. Silver Label's stablemate, Prohibition Legal (Louis-Philippe Roy) flew home from the back of the pack to complete the triactor ticket.
A four-year-old daughter of Tellitlikeitis - Have Rock Willroll, Tells On A Roll is trained by Jodie Cullen for owners Paul Sanders of Surrey, B.C., A1stable and Ron Cullen of Dundas, Ont. That's the ninth win of the season and 18th lifetime for Tells On A Roll, now with $567,126 in earnings.
Andrew Harris told John Rallis before the $40,000 Preferred Pace that he expected a better version of Abuckabett Hanover in Saturday's contest, and a better version was on full display. Allywag Hanover (Todd McCarthy) posted panels of :27.1 and :55 before Oakwood Ardan IR (Andy McCarthy) started a first-over bid just past the half. Dexter Dunn asked Abuckabett Hanover to follow that bid, putting him in striking position at the head of the lane after a 1:22 third station. Tipping off that helmet with the plugs pulled, Abuckabett Hanover set his sights on Oakwood Ardan and nailed that rival right on the wire in a 1:49.1 performance. Its My Show (Scott Zeron) closed for third.
Millionaire Abuckabett Hanover (Betting Line - All Tucked Up) connected for his fourth win of the year in seven tries. He's trained by Andrew Harris, who co-owns the 19-time winner with Bill Pollock and Bruce Areman of Freehold, N.J. Abuckabett Hanover paid $10.10 to win.
Abuckabett Hanover will be one of the horses receiving a fair share of attention and public support in one week's time for the 2024 Canadian Pacing Derby. The draws for the Derby and the Maple Leaf Trot took place during the Saturday night card. Here's how the fields for those two heavyweight tilts will line up.
2024 Canadian Pacing Derby
1. Oakwood Ardan IR
2. Its My Show
3. Allywag Hanover
4. Hemsworth N
5. El Rey
6. Abuckabett Hanover
7. Seven Colors
8. Huntinthelastdolar
9. Voukefalas
10. Ruthless Hanover
11. Taurasi
2024 Maple Leaf Trot
1. Osceola
2. Logan Park
3. Ghostly Casper
4. Hillexotic
5. Periculum
6. Helpfirstedition
7. Oh Well
8. Fashion Frenzie
9. M Ms Dream
10. Gaines Hanover
For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Campbellville, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)