Coming out of a Pop-Up series where she was sent off as the beaten betting favourite in both of the preliminary legs, Silent Crossing said third time is the charm on Thursday, Aug. 29 in the opening leg of the latest Pop-Up series for pacing fillies and mares at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Thursday's card at Mohawk featured the first leg of a series for distaffers with a minimum of 10 seasonal starts that were non-winners of $18,000 in 2024, or not averaging $1,400 per start this year. Silent Crossing and Jimbelina prevailed in the first leg.
Silent Crossing ($3.30) made the lead early in this contest for driver James MacDonald, clearing to the top from post six and tripping the first beam in :26.4. Pam (Jody Jamieson) forged on and took control briefly down the backstretch, with MacDonald not looking the ride the deuce behind that rival for long. Silent Crossing made her way back to the top through a :55.3 half and 1:24.1 third station. The afterburners engaged turning for home, with Silent Crossing scooting down the lane in :28 for the 1:52.1 victory. My Only Sunshine (Sylvain Filion) and Lolas Sunshine (Trevor Henry) tried to narrow that leader's daylight from the back of the pack but both finished three-plus lengths in arrears to complete the triactor ticket.
Silent Crossing (Captaintreacherous - Freedom Crossing) is trained by Blake MacIntosh, and he co-owns the five-year-old mare with Hutt Racing Stable of Malvern, Penn. The win is her second of the year and 15th lifetime, lifting her earnings to $238,592 in 88 appearances.
Making her first start at Mohawk since January, Jimbelina ($8.60) made a strong move around the far turn for driver Sylvain Filion, clearing leader Shes Lawless (Trevor Henry) through a 1:25 three quarter mark, before pulling away for a 1-1/2 length win in 1:53.2. Favoured Getting Euchred (Doug McNair) was next best, followed by Chelsis Choice (Tyler Borth).
In her 141st career start, Jimbelina (Big Jim - Buddys Gal) picked up her 33rd lifetime victory and cleared $300,000 in earnings with Thursday's tally. The Roland Trudel-owned 11-year-old mare now sports a solid bankroll of $304,436.
This Pop-Up series continues with its second leg of Thursday, Sept. 5 followed by the $20,000 final on Thursday, Sept. 12.
For the results from Thursday's card of harness racing in Campbellville, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)