While most eyes were on O'Brien Award winner Control The Moment at Monday morning's qualifiers at Mohawk Racetrack, one pacer put in a mile that somewhat stole his thunder.
A field of seven lined up for the first qualifying tilt with Control The Moment making his second non-racing outing of the season. Leaving from Post 2, Control The Moment and driver Randy Waples were partially impeded early by a less-than-cooperative Artistic Madison (Mike Saftic), who interfered with more than half the field.
Thunder Steeler and driver Doug McNair managed to avoid the early chaos and settled into second early before clearing to the lead ahead of Thepaninsulahotel (Chris Christoforou) before sprinting off to a speedy 1:50.2 mile.
Control The Moment was positioned into third early, then closed stoutly to finish second some four-plus lengths back of the leader. His mile was individually timed in 1:51.1 but the judges allowed one second due to the interference.
Owned by trainer Brad Maxwell along with Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold and Ben Mudry, Control The Moment (Well Said - Lifesliltreasure) is the 3-1 choice in the 2016 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.
John Campbell made a rare Monday morning appearance at Mohawk guiding three-year-old trotting colt Tony Soprano to a sharp 1:54.3 mile for trainer Bob McIntosh, who co-owns the son of Kadabra - Windsong Soprano with Mardon Stables, Paradox Farm Inc. and Dave Boyle.
To view the results from Monday's qualfiiers, click the following link: Monday Results - Mohawk Qualifiers.