Two-year-old trotters were forced to deal with the wrath of Mother Nature on a rain-soaked Thursday night at Mohawk Racetrack, as the Campbellville oval hosted the second leg of the Bridger Trotting Series.
Wheeling N Dealin toted a 2-for-2 record into the first of the $30,000 divisions, and the Dustin Jones pupil came out of that assignment with his perfect record intact. Sylvain Filion worked out the trip for the son of Cantab Hall-Quick Credit, who stalked the tempo-setting Home Brew through panels of :28.2 and :58.3 before popping out of the pocket and pressing that foe to the three-quarter pole in 1:29.3. A :29.3 final quarter was more than enough for Wheeling N Dealin to scoot away to the win by 4-3/4 lengths over Schoolhouse Rock. Third prize was earned by Lets Leavem.
“What I like best about him is that he’s so handy,” said driver Sylvain Filion. “Anything I ask him to do, he does it. He had a lot left in the tank tonight and he did it all on his own. I think he’s got a bright future.”
Sent off as the 2-5 choice, Wheeling N Dealin pushed his lifetime earnings to $34,000 with the win. Ecurie Synergie of Montreal, QC owns the youngster who was purchased for $100,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Hobsons Choice overcame a Post 10 hurdle to win the second division in 2:01.4 for the tandem of driver Randy Waples and trainer Clark Beelby. The son of Cantab Hall-Carmita got away fourth while Alexander Lukas and Devries Hanover battled to the quarter in :29.4. Devries Hanover eventually worked his way to the top, and he led the group to the mid-way point in 1:00.3. Hobsons Choice, in the meantime, brushed out of the four-hole and dropped into the three-hole for Waples.
Race favourite, Kinetic King, marched first-over going into the final turn and Hobsons Choice quickly latched onto that one’s cover. The tempo-setting Devries Hanover rolled into a break going into the last turn, and as a result Alexander Lukas re-emerged from the pocket spot to grab command of the racetrack. Alexander Lukas and Kinetic King matched strides at the three-quarter pole in 1:31.2, but Hobsons Choice was perfectly positioned and ready to strike. Waples split horses in deep stretch with Hobsons Choice who used a :30-second closing panel to win by a length over Kinetic King, with Rolls Blue Chip finishing third.
Sent off at odds of 4-1, Hobsons Choice notched the maiden-breaking win for his owners, Coyote Wynd Farms of Vancouver, BC. The rookie, who was a $50,000 purchase at last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, now owns a 1-1-1 record from his first three starts and his cash stash stands at $22,160.
The $50,000 final of the Bridger Trotting Series is scheduled for Monday, August 20.
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.