Wheeling N Dealin, driven by Sylvain Filion, remains undefeated in six career starts after taking the fastest of two $30,000 William Wellwood Memorial eliminations for two-year-old trotters on Friday evening at Mohawk Racetrack.
The son of Cantab Hall will headline the $462,000 final slated on September 15, which is part of the $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic undercard.
In Friday's elimination round, Filion tucked Wheeling N Dealin into third as Murmur Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) controlled the tempo past the opening quarter in :28.2. Heading towards the half, Filion angled his charge off the pylons and took over command with Wheeling N Dealin before the mid-way point, clocked in :57.4. Filion and the Dustin Jones trainee then marched past three-quarters in 1:28.1 en route to a comfortable two length score in 1:56.4. Murmur Hanover stayed for second while Hobsons Choice (Randy Waples) finished back in third.
“Every time I sit behind him, I feel so confident,” said Filion, a four-time Friday night winner. “He’s so easy to drive and he’s got all the qualities required. He’s so handy; you can do whatever you want with him. You can leave or come from behind. It doesn’t matter.”
A $100,000 yearling purchase, Wheeling N Dealin increased his seasonal earnings to $144,457 for owner Ecurie Synergie of Montreal, Que. He paid $2.70 to win.
In the other elimination, My Man Can posted a 10-1 upset in 1:57.1 for driver Andy Miller.
Miller and My Man Can sat in the pocket for most of the mile through panels of :28.1, :57 and 1:26.4 before sprinting home to win by two and three-quarter lengths. Both Ergo Hanover (Mike Lachance) and Cool Victory (Jack Moiseyev) rebounded from making breaks during the mile to finish second and third, respectively.
“He’s a real honest trotter and he shows that he’s got some go,” Miller said after the win. “He’s been getting better every start. We had a little setback before he qualified, but since he’s been racing, he’s been getting better every start.”
Miller’s wife, Julie, trains the son of Cantab Hall, who posted his first lifetime win. His bankroll now sits at $93,655. A $32,000 yearling purchase, My Man Can is owned by Andy Miller Racing Inc., Mark Moger and Albert Delia. He has crafted a record of 1-2-2 from six starts. The colt paid 22.20 to win.
The field will line up as follows for the rich final:
1. Pounce Hanover
2. My Man Can
3. Wheeling N Dealin
4. Murmur Hanover
5. Hobsons Choice
6. Cool Victory
7. Muscle On Broadway
8. Bluto
9. Ergo Hanover
10. Creampuff Macdaddy
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)