$149,500 in two-year-old finals at Mohawk

Two-year-old harness racing pacers battled in $149,500 worth of series finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday (Aug. 9).

Au Jus Hanover (Stay Hungry) captured the $68,000 Whenuwishuponastar for fillies. James MacDonald ordered a pocket pop going down the backstretch, and his charge led the field home from there. Cant See Me (Bob McClure) came on late but was three-quarters-of-a-length short as Au Jus Hanover nailed down the victory in 1:53. Charlotte Station (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished third.

AU JUS HANOVER REPLAY

The winner began her career with a win on Jun. 29 and finished second and third in legs one and two in the Whenuwishuponastar, respectively. The Tony Beaton-trained filly has now earned $49,400 for owners Casie Coleman of Wellington, Dumain Haven Farm of Pine Bush, Mac Nichol of Burlington, and Kevin McKinlay of Holland Landing.

Coming off a dominant leg two win, Ayeaye Captain Deo (Captaintreacherous) led throughout to take the $81,500 Dream Maker Final. Sylvain Filion put him on top from post five and rated him through the :27.2, :57, and 1:25.1 fractions. Pocket-sitter Take Out Hanover (Doug McNair) proved no challenge, and there were no other attackers as Ayeaye Captain Deo strutted to the 1:53 victory.

Nova Blu closed best of the rest and finished second, giving trainer Garry Merner an exactor sweep. Take Out Hanover was third.

AYEAYE CAPTAIN DEO REPLAY

Ayeaye Captain Deo broke his maiden last out in that second-round win in 1:52. He is now two-for-four lifetime with $57,670 in earnings for Gino Toscani of Mount Hope.

MacDonald totaled five wins on the 11-race card. Beaton sent three to the winner’s circle: Au Jus Hanover, Nice Buns (Sweet Lou, MacDonald, 1:54.2), and Mcwinner (Mcwicked, Jonathan Drury, 1:54.4), the latter two of which were first-time starters.

In the eighth race, three-year-old Control The Fire was pulled up when coming down the stretch. According to Woodbine Entertainment, the filly tragically sustained a catastrophic injury, resulting in her being euthanized.

The next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, Aug. 10 will feature a $36,000 Preferred Pace.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink