Claimers Clash In Pop Up Series At Mohawk Park

Pacers were out in full force Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park as the oval hosted round one of a Pop Up Series for claimers ranging from price tags of $22,000 to $30,000.

In the first division it was A Boy Named Suuzz who managed to fend off late pressure en route to nabbing a 1:54.1 in his $20,000 division for driver Bob McClure and trainer Shayne Barrington.

The 12-year-old son of Mr Saratoga-Proxahantis got away third while race favourite Speaking Of Art shot to the lead and hung up an opening quarter clocked in :28.1.  McClure pressed the accelerator on A Boy Named Suuzz in the backstretch, however, and in a matter of strides they found themselves in the position of command.

A Boy Named Suuzz then sprinted the field through middle panels of :56.3 and 1:25 before using a :29.1 closing frame to win by a head over the late-driving HP Momentum.  Julerica, who was treated to a ground-saving trip, finished third.       

Imagine Stable of L’Ange-Gardien, Que. owns the gelding who improved this year’s record to 2-1-0 from five starts with the win.  The 55-time winner has banked $486,607 to date.

Rock And Twist posted a 15-1 upset in the second division, and in doing so extended his winning streak to three-in-a-row for trainer Richard Moreau. 

The longshot got away fourth in the early stages while Private Scott and I Ama Rocket battled to the quarter pole in :28.2.  I Ama Rocket worked his way to the lead and then sped the field through middle panels of :56.3 and 1:24.3.  Rock And Twist angled off the rail in the lane and stormed home in :28.1 to win by a half-length margin over race favourite Mach Art In Motion in 1:53.3.  Private Scott was a lapped-on third beaten just three-quarters of a length.

Sheldon Rose of Thornhill, Ont. owns the six-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-So Rocked who won for the 18th time in his career.  The $10,000 payday bumped his lifetime earnings to $108,205.

Arukidinme Cabbie captured his first victory of the season in the third division, and he used come-from-behind tactics to do it for Team Cullen.

Winless in three starts on the season going into the tilt, Arukidinme Cabbie got away sixth for driver Travis Cullen while Century Gigalo sailed along on the lead through fractions of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:25.4.  Arukidinme Cabbie got into the outer flow on the way to the half, and he advanced to be fifth on the rim as the group headed into the final quarter.  He kicked home in :28.3 to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Toughsonofabeach in 1:55.  Partyintheshadows was third.

Grace Marshman of Campbellcroft, Ont. owns the eight-year-old son of Big Jim-Arukiddinme who struck a pose in the winner’s circle for the 14th time in his career.  He’s stashed away close to $225,000 in his career. 

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.