Rescheduled from mid-June, the Goodtimes for three-year-old trotters had a pair of $30,000 eliminations contested on Friday night (August 28) to determine the field for next Saturday’s (September 5) final at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Fresh off a win in the Zweig Memorial, Ready For Moni posted a 1:51.4 victory for the driver-trainer team of Yannick Gingras and Nancy Takter. The son of Ready Cash moved to the lead in the second quarter and hung up panels of :56.1 and 1:24.3 before closing out the victory with a :27.1 final quarter.
Play Trix On Me finished up in :26.4 to grab second, beat three-quarters of a length. Hayek was third, while Jula Trix Treasure and Hollywood Story completed the top five to make next week’s final.
Ready For Moni is now four-for-five this season with his only loss being a runner-up finish in the Hambletonian. His seasonal bankroll now sits at nearly $500,000 and he sports career numbers of eight wins and $779,020 earned in 13 starts for owners John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Conn., Herb Liverman and Bud Hatfield.
The betting public sent Ready For Moni off at odds of 1-9.
Hp Royal Theo made the front in the second quarter and trotted off to a 1:53.1 score in the other elimination for driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Ben Baillargeon. The gelded son of Royalty For Life overcame the outside post nine to score his fourth win in seven starts this season.
Capricornus rallied for second, beat a length and three-quarters. Hot Wheelz, Lovedbythemasses and Stravinsky, also from the Baillargeon barn, rounded out the top five.
Hp Royal Theo came through last season in the William Wellwood Memorial final and could be set for more Grand Circuit success for owners Claude Hamel and Michel Damphousse. His career numbers now sit at seven wins and $424,040 earned.
A $2 win ticket on Hp Royal Theo returned $8.90.
The $215,000 Goodtimes Trot will take place next Saturday (September 5) as part of a stakes-filled card. The post positions for the final were drawn following the eliminations. Friday’s elimination winners earned the right to select their post for the final.
1. Capricornus
2. Hayek
3. Play Trix On Me
4. Hp Royal Theo
5. Ready For Moni
6. Hollywood Story
7. Jula Trix Treasure
8. Lovedbythemasses
9. Stravinsky
10. Hot Wheelz
AE. Threefiftytwo
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Mohawk Park)