In addition to winning two of three $15,000 Pop Up Series divisions for Ontario-sired sophomores, driver James MacDonald won three more races for a total of five winners on the Thursday (Oct. 12) evening card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
MacDonald's first steer to victory involved the Pop Up Series division for colts and geldings with Harry Poulton trainee Nothingbutadreamer.
Nothingbutadreamer lived up to his label as the bettors' choice after he led through panels in :27.1, :56.4 and 1:26.2 before opening up to win by 10-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4. Zip Me Up (Todd Ratchford) finished second and Looks Like Magic (Doug McNair) was third.
Thestable Nothinbutadremr of Guelph, Ont. owns the sophomore gelded son of Muscle Mass, who earned his second win of the season and sixth career tally. He now boasts $105,943 in career earnings. He paid $2.10 to win as the favourite.
MacDonald's fifth and final win came in the second Pop Up Series division with Jesse Yoder student Jayport Anna May in the split for the fillies.
Jayport Anna May got away fourth in the field of seven as Olivias Goldnugget (Michael Whelan) was the first to the quarter in :28.1. MacDonald sent her first over en route to the half in :58.1, but settled back in fourth along the pylons at the three-quarters in 1:26.4. The filly kicked into gear in the final turn and challenged pocket-sitting Olivias Goldnugget down the lane. At the wire, Jayport Anna May had prevailed by a half length in 1:57.3. Olivias Goldnugget had to settle for second and SOS Jewels (Sylvain Grenier) took the show spot.
Michael Wolf of Fort Lauderdale, Florida owns the sophomore Muscle Mass filly as she earned her first win in 18 career attempts. She paid $36.20 in the 17-1 upset.
In between series splits, MacDonald gathered three more winners to tally five on the card including wins with Mike Bishop trainee Honey Love ($5.40) in 1:54.2, Benoit Baillargeon student Cactustotheclouds ($4.10) in 1:55.4, and Anthony Beaton pupil Magical Alone ($8.60) in 1:54.2.
Sylvain Filion and Clark Beelby trainee Connor took the final Pop Up Series division of the evening, winning the second split for the young colts.
Connor got away sixth at the :28 quarter before pulling to the outside through the half in :58.1 and three-quarters in 1:27.2. Connor rallied in the final turn to take command of the field and romped down the lane to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:56.1. Tyrone Bow Tie (Ratchford) was second and DWs Point Man (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished third.
Connor is a three-year-old gelded son of My MVP owned by Coyote Wynd Farms of Oakville, Ont. He earned his first win in 11 starts.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.