Marshall Zhukov completes quadruple in first Mohawk start

Marshall Zhukov (Shadow Play) extended his winning streak to four in his first harness racing start at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Sep. 18).

The colt who began the season with seven winless outings started fifth as he hunted for his fourth straight tally. James MacDonald kept him at the pegs as the leaders produced :26.2 and :54.2 quarters.

Marshall Zhukov moved off the rail and but had work to do as the battling leader strung out the field. He advanced onto cover entering the final turn and tracked the three-high leaders into the stretch. The colt was flat out but still fifth at the eighth pole, when his rivals began to fall into his clutches. Racing in the middle of the track, Marshall Zhukov flew by them all and got up by a half-length in 1:51, lowering his mark by a second.

Bettorholdontight (Tyler Borth) closed from even further back and missed by a half-length. Talk Racy To Me (Louis-Philippe Roy), who led into the stretch, held onto third.

MARSHALL ZHUKOV REPLAY

Marshall Zhukov has put it all together in recent weeks. The colt won all but one race at two, including the Prospect Series Final. His first seven starts of 2023 bore no trips to the winner’s circle, but the colt hit the board in starts four through seven and has since launched a four-race run of success. He had never started at Ontario’s premier oval, Woodbine Mohawk Park, prior to Monday’s win. The Richard Moreau-trained colt is now an 11-time winner in 19 starts, and he has earned $67,740.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will continue its meet on Tuesday, Sep. 19 with a 10-race card beginning at 5:35 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink