10-1 upset in tight Mohawk Gold Cup

Linedrive Hanover (Betting Line) reached up for the harness racing upset in a three-across finish in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational on Saturday (Jun. 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

James MacDonald floated the gelding out and tucked him into the pocket behind leader Blue Hunt (Travis Cullen) to the quarter in :26. Abuckabett Hanover (Dexter Dunn) then brushed to the front at the half in :53.4 and led with little opposition through three-quarters in 1:20.3.

Abuckabett Hanover grabbed a couple lengths on the final turn, but Linedrive Hanover began to motor at the top of the lane with Taurasi (Doug McNair) joining them at the pylons. The trio converged as both closers surged in the last 1/16th of a mile, and Linedrive Hanover put his head in front for the victory in 1:47.2.

Taurasi edged out Abuckabett Hanover for place. The winner was sent away at 10-1 and returned $23.

Linedrive Hanover, the 2022 Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup winner, upped his lifetime earnings to $806,432 with the victory, his 18th in 48 career appearances. The Tony Beaton-trained gelding has tallied four wins in nine tries this year with two in the Borgata Series and a place finish in the Camluck Classic. West Wins Stable of Wellington, McKinlay & Fielding of Toronto, and Mac Nichol of Burlington share ownership of the six-year-old.

For all the North America Cup night replays, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink