Control Your Bet springs 9-1 Harvest Series upset

Harvest Series action got underway on Monday (Oct. 20) at Woodbine Mohawk Park where Control Your Bet secured her third straight as a 9-1 upsetter in one of two harness racing divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies, while Kountry Clover delivered in the lone trotting split.

Control Your Bet (pictured above) left from the rail with driver Louis-Philippe Roy as she took on five other Ontario Sired fillies who were non-winners of $30,000 as of Sept. 30.

The second longest shot on the board, Control Your Bet got away fourth while Josies Joules (David Kelly) cut the quarter in :28. The field was spread out to the half in :56.4 before tightening back up on the far turn, with Control Your Bet along the cones in fifth at three-quarters while Josies Joules led to that station in 1:26. The rail opened wide for Control Your Bet in the lane where she took full advantage with a :27 last quarter, pacing clear by three lengths in 1:53.3. Playsomethingsweet (Jody Jamieson) was second, with Annies Diva (Trevor Henry) rallying for third.

Making her first start in the Chantal Mitchell barn, the new clocking was a career best for Control Your Bet who has won three of six this year. The homebred daughter of Control The Moment-P L Kahluaa is owned by Les Ecuries Morel Inc. of Mirabel, Que. Control Your Bet paid $21.60 to win.

The second division for pacing fillies proved more formful with Aleksova and driver Tyler Borth scoring as the 4-5 favorite. Aleksova got away fourth while Malicia Speed (Travis Cullen) sprinted to the lead through a quarter of :28.1. Aleksova brushed to the lead on the backstretch, assuming command after the half of :58.1 before taking the field to three-quarters in 1:26.3. Malicia Speed took aim at Aleksova in the lane, but could not reach as the favourite reached the line first a length clear in 1:54.1. Bayonetta (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished in the third position.

Aleksova has now won two of four in her career following the career best effort. Camilla Christoforou trains the homebred daughter of McWicked-B Fifteen for owner Charalambos Christoforou of Cambellville, Ont. Aleksova returned $3.60 to win at the betting windows.

In the lone division for trotting fillies, Kountry Clover made quick work of post nine in the field of 11 with a front-end score. Driver James MacDonald hustled Kountry Clover to the lead of the wings, working around Life Is Great (Jody Jamieson) to the quarter in :28.3. Once clear, Kountry Clover went unchallenged to the half in :59.1 before powering three lengths clear at three-quarters in 1:29. After building an insurmountable lead in the stretch, MacDonald geared down Kountry Clover as she coasted home a two length winner in 1:57.3 over My Ghost and Love Wins (Jean Rene Plante).

Making her debut in the Meg Crone barn, Kountry Clover has won two of 10 at age two. The daughter of Muscle Mass-Shes Kadabra Cool is owned by W J Donovan of Delray Beach, FL. Kountry Clover returned $3.90 to her backers at the windows.

Also contested on the 12-race Monday program was a pair of $40,000 Pop-Up Series Finals for Ontario Sired three-year-old trotters who were non-winners of $100,000 in 2025 as of Oct. 1.

In the filly final, Medley Seelster (Doug McNair, $2.10) crushed on the front-end, romping by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3 as the heavy favourite. Trained by Blake MacIntosh, the daughter of Wheeling N Dealin swept both legs and the final for a three race win streak.

Counter to the fillies, the male counterpart was won by 17-1 longshot Alimony Mike ($37.50, Tyler Jones) going first-over en route to a 1:54.4 score. It was the second win in 16 starts this year for the Dustin Jones trained Royalty For Life gelding.

To view Monday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.

From Standardbred Canada