The New Holland Series, Woodbine’s newest winter late-closer, is set to begin with a pair of first round trotting events on Monday, March 6 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The new series is open to horses that were non-winners of $150,000 (fillies and mares $175,000) in 2022. The trotting event will get under this Monday, while the pacing event will launch next Saturday, March 11. Both series consist of two $30,000 preliminary legs and a $60,000 added money final.
The New Holland Trotting Series attracted 18 entrants for Monday’s opening leg.
As part of the first leg, trainer Per Engblom will ship in a pair of six-year-old geldings, Sermon and Toccoa Falls, from his homebase in New Jersey.
Competing in Monday’s second division (Race 6), Sermon arrives in Ontario off a victory in his season debut at The Meadowlands on Feb. 17. The gelded son of Muscle Hill appeared poised to be a regular Grand Circuit performer last season, but injury cut his 2022 campaign short.
“He was very good his four-year-old season [in 2022], finishing strong with cheques in both the Breeders Crown and TVG finals,” said Engblom. “Last year, unfortunately, he got hurt and required surgery. We gave him plenty of time and been [working] up slowly with him.”
Engblom was pleased to see the New Holland Series pop up as an option for the returning Sermon.
“I’ve been very happy with his qualifiers and his comeback race. This series comes up perfect in his schedule and we’re looking forward to coming up with two horses to try it out.”
Sermon, who will be driven by Doug McNair from post nine, is a nine-time winner with career earnings of $267,677 and a mark of 1:51.4 taken over Hoosier Park. He is owned by Longbridge Trotting Inc. and Consus Racing Stable Inc.
The second division also includes Mohawk Park track record co-holder Locatelli, leaving from post six with James MacDonald driving. The Harry Poulton trainee matched the Canadian record for trotting geldings with a 1:50.4 win at Mohawk on Dec. 5 before shipping stateside for a few starts. The five-year-old Muscle Hill gelding just met the conditions for the series after earning $145,300 in 2022.
Monday’s first split (Race 4) is headlined by O’Brien Award finalist HP Mama B. The Ben Baillargeon trainee will make her first start since an impressive 1:52.3 score on Jan. 9 at Mohawk. The five-year-old Royalty For Life mare won six of 22 starts, earned $168,130 and took a mark of 1:51.4 over the Campbelleville, Ont. oval in 2022. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy will partner with HP Mama B from post five.
Engblom's other starter, Toccoa Falls, a Trixton gelding with nine wins and $131,147 earned last year, will leave from post six in the first division with McNair listed to drive for owners Evan Katz and Frank Canzone.
The second leg of the New Holland Trotting Series will take place on Monday, March 13. The $60,000 added money final will be held on Saturday, March 25.
Post time for Monday evening’s card is 7 p.m.
The fields for Monday’s New Holland Trotting Series first leg are listed below:
$30,000 New Holland Trotting Series – Division 1 (Race 4)
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. Dees Red Delicious - Sylvain Filion - Anthony Beaton
2. Simcoe Seelster - TBA - William James
3. Shadrack Hanover - Jonathan Drury - Thomas Riley
4. Macallan - Scott Young - Tim Cherwaiko
5. HP Mama B - Louis-Philippe Roy - Ben Baillargeon
6. Toccoa Falls - Doug McNair Per Engblom
7. Franks Angel - Bob McClure - Dagfin Henriksen
8. Evil Guy - Jody Jamieson - Shannon Henry
9. Itstimetogohome - James MacDonald - Carmen Auciello
$30,000 New Holland Trotting Series – Division 2 (Race 6)
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. HP Royal Theo - TBA - Ben Baillargeon
2. Chulo - Jody Jamieson - Carmen Auciello
3. Ritson - Bob McClure - Shawn Steacy
4. El Toro Loco - TBA - Don Lindsey
5. Locatelli - James MacDonald - Harry Poulton
6. Meadowbranch Noble - Jonathan Drury - Carmen Auciello
7. Dealin With Dewey - Louis-Philippe Roy - Sara Baillargeon
8. Swan Trixie - Sylvain Filion - Meg Crone
9. Sermon - Doug McNair - Per Engblom
(With files from Woodbine)