One door has been shut for a Maple Leaf Trot hopeful on the eve of the $603,000 race while a door has opened for a new challenger.
Undercover Strike, trained by Tony O'Sullivan, was to start from post position eight in tomorrow night's Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk Racetrack following a third-place finish in his July 11 elimination behind Mister Herbie and winner Market Share, but he has been scratched.
The scratch of Undercover Strike has given a second opportunity to the Luc Blais trainee, Wheeling N Dealin, who did not qualify for the final, but was the also eligible after a sixth-place finish in his elimination won by Sebastian K.
Wheeling N Dealin will now start from post position eight in tomorrow night's final, but will wear saddle pad number 11.
A driver has not yet been named for Wheeling N Dealin as Jody Jamieson, who drove the horse in the elimination and is listed in the program, will be driving Archangel from post position four.
The 2012 O'Brien Award winner has won 11 times in 27 career starts and has earnings of over $865,000. This season, the four-year-old son of Cantab Hall out of Quick Credit has won twice in eight starts.
(With files from WEG)