27-1 longshot shocks co-feature at Mohawk

Exotic Dragon, the longest shot on the tote board at odds of 27-1, pulled off a shocker at Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday evening in capturing the co-feature pace.

The 6^th race $28,000 feature for Fillies and Mares saw the 3/2 race favorite, Dream Dancing and driver Louis-Philippe Roy force their way to the front with Majestic Vision (Jonathan Drury) forced to take the two-hole trip.

They went by the opening quarter in :26.3 and raced single file past the half mile in a slow :57.

As the field came towards the final turn, Doug McNair came first-over with Shes Nun Bettor N, following their outside cover was Lyons Tilt Hanover (Auston Sorrie). Meanwhile, Exotic Dragon and driver Travis Cullen were sitting in sixth place along the rail as the field reached the three-quarters in 1:26.2.

Midway down the stretch, Shes Nun Better N had collared pacesetter Dream Dancing, but swinging off the rail was Exotic Dragon, who kicked in another gear in the last 50 yards to the wire and nipped Shes Nun Bettor N by a slight head. Dream Dancing was third. The time of the mile was 1:53.3.

EXOTIC DRAGON REPLAY

It was the third win on the season for Exotic Dragon. The four-year-old mare by Custard The Dragon, is trained by Jodie Cullen and is co-owned by Travis & Ron Cullen and Paul Sanders. She paid $57.30 to win.

In the 8^th race $28,000 co-feature pace for the horse, it was the undefeated Linedrive Hanover and driver James MacDonald, who continued his winning ways, scoring his ninth straight win.

From the start it was East End and driver Trevor Henry leading the way with Real Willey (Travis Cullen) sitting the pocket-seat through the first quarter in :27.1 and the half mile marker in :56.2.

Coming to the three-quarters, Wind Blown (Jody Jamieson) was flushed first-over by the 1/5 favorite, Linedrive Hanover, who used the second-over outside cover to sling off of at the three-quarters in 1:25.3.

As they came down the stretch, Linedrive Hanover and MacDonald caught and blew by the race leaders to win by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:51.4. East End was second with Highlandbeachlover (Jonathan Drury) third.

LINEDRIVE HANOVER REPLAY

Unraced at age 2 and 3 (one qualifying win in 1:54.4 at age 3), Linedrive Hanover is making up for lost time with his nine straight wins. The four-year-old gelded son of Betting Line is trained by Anthony Beaton for the West Wins Stable, McKinlay & Fielding. He paid just $2.50 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink