Monkey On My Wheel converted off a perfect pocket trip to win the $35,000 elimination for the Milton Stakes on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.
Fresh off a victory in the evening's Canadian Trotting Classic with Royalty For Life, driver Brian Sears looked to keep his stakes winning momentum rolling as he put pacing mare Monkey On My Wheel in a good position heading into next weekend's racing action.
Voelz Hanover (Randy Waples) blasted off the gate from post seven with Monkey On My Wheel rolling up from post nine into the two-hole. Monkey On My Wheel played follow-the-leader through fractions of :26.4, :55 and 1:22.2 before surging by in deep stretch for the narrow score in 1:50 flat. She nipped Voelz Hanover by a neck while Krispy Apple (Billy Davis Jr.) followed one length behind.
The top nine finishers will join Drop The Ball, who accepted a bye, in next Saturday's rich final. Finishing fourth through ninth were Rocklamation (Yannick Gingras), favourite Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), Swinging Beauty (Scott Zeron), Shelliscape (Steve Condren), Greystone Ladylike (Doug McNair), and Bettor B Lucky (David Miller). Camille (Sylvain Filion) was eliminated.
Casie Coleman trains the winning Mach Three mare for owner/breeder Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont. She paid $16.60 for the mild upset.
The field for next Saturday's $284,000 Milton Stakes final will line up as follows:
1. Drop The Ball
2. Greystone Ladylike
3. Krispy Apple
4. Monkey On My Wheel
5. Anndrovette
6. Shelliscape
7. Voelz Hanover
8. Swinging Beauty
9. Rocklamation
10. Bettor B Lucky
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.