Activator pulled off a 17-1 pari-mutuel puzzler for driver Randy Waples when he swept the field to score in Friday’s $47,000 Open Pace at Mohawk Racetrack.
A six-pack of top free-for-all pacers gathered and the battle was on early, and it was hot and heavy as Hyperion Hanover (Rick Zeron) hung out Tigerama (Mark MacDonald) and Secrets Nephew (Lyle MacArthur) to a quarter in :26.2.
Tigerama took control before the :54.4 half, but he was soon under siege from favoured Secrets Nephew, and those two went at it around the final turn. At the 1:23.1 three-quarters, Tigerama still held a short lead, however, the backfield was in motion and Tigerama’s cushion was looking less and less secure with each stride.
Meanwhile, Activator, who sat fifth for the first half-mile for Waples, was fanning out three-wide from last turning for home and was beginning to get in gear.
Secrets Nephew emerged with a deep stretch lead, but Activator was flying in the final yards for Waples and nailed Secrets Nephew by three quarters of a length in 1:51. Armbro Dublin (Luc Ouellette) was third.
Mike Brealey conditions Activator for owners Rodney McGrath, Wallace Gemmill, Gordon Waples, and Donald Watkins. He is five-for-20 on the season while collecting $117,090 in purses. Activator won for the 20th time in his career and increased his lifetime earnings to $370,075 with the victory.
To view Mohawk’s results, click here.