Don Lindsey trainee Royaltys Rocket resumed a roll he's built over the last few months and nabbed his fifth consecutive victory in taking the single $17,000 Harvest Series division for sophomore trotting colts and geldings on Saturday night (Nov. 5) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver Dave Boughton floated the Royalty For Life gelding off the wings to race fifth while Marvin Hagler grabbed control to a :27.4 first quarter. Ricky Resolve, who fired from post 10, continued to push forward and cleared the lead from Marvin Hagler before a :56.3 half. With the action settling to the final turn, Boughton caught cover for Royaltys Rocket to race third over as Marvin Hagler popped pocket and led the two-wide tier around a tiring Ricky Resolve to three-quarters in 1:25.3. Angels Express then motored from second over to take the lead in late stretch, but could not hold off the momentum of Royaltys Rocket as she zipped up in time to win by a nose at the beam in 1:55. Marvin Hagler settled for third and Stable Genius rallied for fourth.
Royaltys Rocket now has nine wins from 25 starts and $54,795 banked for owner Paul Lindsey. He paid $8.70 to win.
Saturday's card also featured three $17,000 Harvest Series divisions for sophomore pacing colts and geldings, all of which rewarded the swift-footed.
Delicate Sound opened the card with a front-stepping 1:52 victory in the first division to deliver as the 2-5 favourite. The gelding by State Treasurer set a clip of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:24.1 before surviving a late charge from Lyons Pride to the finish to win by a neck with Howyouplay Thegame closing for third.
Marc-Andre Simoneau conditions Delicate Sound, a nine-time winner from 15 starts and earner of $39,512, for owner Aurel Harvey Et Fils Inc. Sylvain Filion steered the $2.80 winner.
A few races later, driver Paul MacDonell perched 1-5 Duane Marfisi trainee Camara Moment on the helm and held charge to post a 1:50.4 victory. MacDonell landed the Control The Moment gelding third to a :26.2 first quarter set by Tango Seelster, but soon swept Camara Moment off the pegs and to the lead before a :55.2 half. Camara Moment dictated the terms from there, posting three-quarters in 1:23.3 and striding home a 1-1/4-length winner over Bootlegger Charlie closing off cover for second. E L Gladiator tracked his move but settled for third.
Camara Moment competes for owners Brenton Harris, Mickey Sudar, James Borke and Green And Gold Ltd. The gelding added a third win to his card of nine starts and padded an account now worth $34,100. He paid $2.20 to win.
The Bettors Delight gelding Stone Carver, sent off as the 3-5 favourite, applied similar tactics in the last Harvest Series division to brush and then crush a 1:51.1 mile. After Hashtag Money tripped the quarter in :27.3, driver James MacDonald lifted Stone Carver from third and swooped to the top as the tempo slowed to a :56.4 half. He then kept a first-over challenge from Jack Panic at bay to three-quarters in 1:24.1 and all through the stretch as he coasted home a 2-3/4-length winner to the pole. Hashtag Money grabbed second from Jack Panic.
Anthony Beaton trains Stone Carver, a homebred for Robert Bridges. The gelding won his fourth race from 29 starts, has now accrued $83,182 in purses and paid $3.20 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.