15-1 upset in first leg of New Holland Trotting Series

A field of ten harness racing trotters lined up for the first leg of the New Holland Trotting Series on Monday (Mar. 11) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Right from the word go, the 15-1 longshot, Southwind Oncore (Muscle Hill) jumped from post seven to fight for the lead. The five-year-old gelding secured the lead as the field hit the first turn. The New Jersey-bred trotter posted fractions of 27.2, 56.4 and 1:25.2. Reinsman, Travis Cullen kept his foot on the gas for the whole race. Southwind Oncore finished the mile in 1:53.0 and had a last quarter of 27.3.

The betting favourite, Pemberton (James Macdonald tried closing late but ran out of track and finished second. With 72-1 odds, Franks Angel (Brett Macdonald) finished third. The $2 triacter paid $1,840.20. Southwind Oncore was the big longshot winner during the early Pick 5 and helped it pay $26,550.25 based on a $1 ticket.

SOUTHWIND ONCORE REPLAY

This is the third win of 2024 Southwind Oncore and the tenth of his career. The 1:53.0 mile is also his new lifetime mark and it beat his previous by four-fifths of a second. Jodie Cullen trains Southwind Oncore and it was her only win on the card. Travis Cullen ended the night with three wins. His first came just prior in the fourth race with Savoir Duaharas (Sunshine Beach). The six-year-old pacer now has back-to-back wins. Cullens final win came later in the eighth when the Pennsylvanian-bred Capt Jack Hanover (Captaintreacherous) earn his first win of the year in 1:54.1.

Racing resumes at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (Mar. 14) at 7:10 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink