Freshman trotters Talbotcreek Jewely and Mr Ridgetaker lit up the toteboard Friday night at Mohawk Racetrack as they pulled off a pair of mild upsets in their respective $50,000 stakes consolation races
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Two-year-old filly Talbotcreek Jewely, a 4-1 fourth choice in the Peaceful Way Consolation, was a gate-to-wire winner in 1:58.1.
With driver Paul MacDonell in the sulky, the Mike Keeling student maintained the lead through splits of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:29.2. Talbotcreek Jewely, who trotted home in :28.4, opened up by three lengths to score the career-best victory. Flower Bouquet (Jack Moiseyev) finished second with Garbo Blue Chip (Scott Zeron) rounding out the triactor.
The brown Muscles Yankee-Gaelic filly picked up her second win in eight career outings, increasing her bankroll to $34,733 for owners P C Wellwood Enterprises Inc. of Cambridge, Ont., and Karen Carroll of Shedden, Ont.
Talbotcreek Jewely paid $10 to win.
The Paul Reid-trained colt, Mr Ridgetaker, got up in time to score an 8-1 upset in the William Wellwood Memorial Consolation.
Melt In Your Mouth (Jack Moiseyev) took the lead early on and remained on top through fractions of :29.3, :59.1 and 1:28.2.
The 1-2 favourite, Guccio (Jimmy Takter), launched a first-over attack at the half and battled for command with the tempo-setter until the three-quarter pole, where he broke stride. Guccio's miscue allowed driver Randy Waples to pull Mr Ridgetaker from the pocket, and just steps before the wire he got the better of Melt In Your Mouth to score by half a length in 1:57.3. No Less Than Magic (Scott Zeron) finished third.
The brown Tom Ridge-Miss Risktaker colt picked up his third win in nine career outings, increasing his bankroll to $104,605 for owners Rick and Regina Beinhauer of Venetia, Pennsylvania.
Mr Ridgetaker paid $19.50 to win.
The $447,000 Peaceful Way Stakes final and the $469,000 William Wellwood Memorial Trot final will be contested Saturday night at Mohawk, along with the featured $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic for three-year-olds.
Later on the Friday night card, trainer Ben Baillargeon teamed up with his brother, driver Mario Baillargeon, to win three races in a row. The duo scored with Racy Gal Hanover ($8), Private Joke ($7) and Oh Sweet Baby ($9.90) in races seven through nine.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)