The first leg of the New Holland Trotting Series was hosted on Monday, March 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park with Southwind Oncore making a gate-to-wire trip to victory to collect the winner's share of the $30,000 purse.
Travis Cullen sent the Jodie Cullen student from post seven to the top. The pair rounded out panels in :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25.2. Favoured Pemberton (James MacDonald) set out for the chase in the stretch, but Southwind Oncore had just enough for an encore of his own to win by half a length in a career-best 1:53. Pemberton had to settle for second and Franks Angel (Brett MacDonald) took the show spot.
Southwind Oncore is a five-year-old gelding owned by Travis Cullen. The son of Muscle Hill out of the Credit Winner mare Lima Oh So Sweet earned his third win in nine starts this season to date and his 10th win from 37 career starts. Southwind Oncore now has $167,065 earned lifetime. As the 16-1 longshot victor, Southwind Oncore posted a $32.90 ticket to win.
After a second $30,000 preliminary leg on Monday, March 18, the $60,000 New Holland Trotting Series finale is slated for Saturday, March 30.
Two Pop-Up Series divisions for $8,000 claiming pacers, as the second leg of the series worth $9,000 apiece, were contested on the Monday evening card. Savoir Duharas ($9.10) pocketed the first split by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3 with Travis Cullen in the bike for Corey Giles. Royal Regatta ($2.60) took the second split with James MacDonald holding the lines for Rene Bourassa. The pair won by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.
The third leg of the Pop-Up Series is scheduled for Monday, March 18 with a $10,000 purse. The $18,000 final and $12,000 consolation races are slated for Monday, April 1.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)