The Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park continues with full steam, this week the track has hosted an exciting 11-event qualifying card. The races took place on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, with mostly fresh blood flooding the initial stages of the cards. With Kolby Two Steps recording the quickest mile of novice pacing males with 1:55.3 time.

The horse racing industry of Ontario is now recovering well from the suspension of races again this April, and the Standardbred season is about to become even more exciting in August. Woodbine Mohawk Park is located in Ontario, Campbellville, and it is a property of Woodbine Entertainment which is one of the leaders for live harness racing in the province.

Exciting Tuesday

As already mentioned Kolby Two Step got the best time of the novice pacing males with a 1:55.3 effort. The gelding by Betterthancheddar lead all the way through fractions of: 29.3, 58.3, and 1:27.3 before smoothly reaching the finish line in a :28 final quarter 2-1/2 lengths better than pocket-sitter Ship Disturber. Bob McClure was jockey, for Tim Gillespie trainee.

In the morning Unity headed the portion for babies with the fastest mile for the pacing fillies with a 1:59.2 effort. The Hes Watching filly tracked the late-loose leader Kays Writer, who secured the leading spot when pacesetter Ivory Hanover swung wide and backed through the field, to win with Jody Jamieson at reins, for trainer Jack Darling.

Bob McClure and trainer Luc Blais joined forces for the fastest mile by a freshman trotting colt when Star Power Hanover stopped the time in 2:01. The son of Wheeling N Dealing placed fifth with a tempo of :31.1, 1:01.2, and 1:31.1 set by Bubba Louie before cruising with a time of :28.2 to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Rose Run Xcaliber.

During the 11- event qualifying card, the fastest trotting mile by a two-year-old filly was recorded by Lovin Julie, with a 2:00 effort. She set the tempo with:30.1 in the first half and sat pocket to Gyre Hanover to three-quarters in 1:30 before surging to a one-length victory. . Louis-Philippe Roy was in the sulky, behind Tony O’Sullivan trainee. The full event can be found on the track’s official YouTube channel.

Return of Fans

In July, Woodbine Entertainment was able to welcome back live audiences at Woodbine Mohawk Park for the first time since the beginning of the unprecedented situation. Visitors of the track can also use the indoor areas for simulcasting and wagering. This will be available only at specifically designated Sportsbook sections. However, capacity is limited and all guests of the property are required to wear a face mask.

Internships

Previously, the horse racing leader announced that there are two new Standardbred Racing Internship positions available. This way, enthusiasts who want to start a career in the live harness industry will have the opportunity to see how it operates. The application process has already started and they will be able to tap into the company’s Race Office, Stakes Manager, Bookkeeper, Charter, Placing Judge, and Paddock

Source: “Mohawk Qualifiers Complete”, Standardbred Canada, August 3, 2021