The opening leg of the Summertime Series highlighted racing action on Saturday night (June 25) at Mohawk Racetrack.
The three-week series for sophomore pacing colts and geldings attracted a field of 11 for the $18,000 first leg.
Dave Menary trainee Sintra entered Saturday’s opening round undefeated in five starts this season. Despite a large field, Sintra was sent off as the 1-9 favourite from post three.
Major Hill, also a Menary trainee, was blasted to the front by driver Doug McNair from post nine and posted an opening quarter of :26.2. Sintra got away fifth with driver Jody Jamieson, who was able to angle out nearing the half to pick up cover.
After stealing a :30 second quarter, Major Hill paced a :28 third panel while being confronted by Some Gold, who was pressing first over.
In the stretch, Major Hill turned aside the first over challenger, but Sintra was ready to pounce and shot off cover to pace home in :26 to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:50.4. Always A Hotshot, who was third over around the final turn, finished second, while Major Hill was third.
A son of Mach Three, Sintra is now a perfect six-for-six to start his three-year-old season after going winless in three starts as a rookie. His wins this season include scores in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event and a Three-Year-Old Open on Pepsi North America Cup night.
Sintra has now earned $86,500 this season for owners Brad Gray, Michael Guerriero and Menary Racing Inc. He paid $2.30 to win Saturday.
In order to be eligible to the Summertime Series, the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings had to be non winners of $30,000 lifetime as of March 31, 2015.
The second leg of the Summertime Series will take place next Saturday (July 2).
In other action, North America Cup starter Beast Mode was victorious in a career-best 1:50.3 clocking in a $20,000 conditioned pace, providing Christopher Nicol with his first training victory. Nicol owns the Rock N Roll Heaven colt and took over the training duties heading into the Cup. Trevor Henry worked out the winning drive, his first of three on the card to move him within two victories of reaching the 6,000 milestone mark.
Live racing resumes Monday night at Mohawk with a 10-race card, featuring three $75,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions for sophomore trotting colts and geldings. Post time is 7:30 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)