Dark Moves snags Pop-up Final for new owner

Starting for a third different harness racing owner in the same number of weeks, Dark Moves (Dali) thundered down the stretch to capture the Pop-up Series Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Dec. 19).

The gelding floated forward from the start under orders from Doug McNair and tucked in sixth as Titanium N (Louis-Philippe Roy) completed his move to the front just past the quarter in :28.3. McNair tipped Dark Moves out into a third-over position as they approached the half in :58.

He remained on cover through the three-quarter-mile station in 1:27.3 and was the first of a veil of horses to fan out at the top of the stretch. The duelling top two kept the cavalry at bay until mid-stretch, when they began to fall into the closers’ clutches. With a surging Kevndan Fraudsters (Sylvain Filion) to his outside, Dark Moves produced the best burst to blow by the pacesetters in the final strides for the 1:56.2 victory.

Kevndan Fraudsters, who was ninth on the final turn, was second by a half-lengths. Titanium N was just behind in third.

DARK MOVES REPLAY

Robert Doyle trains Dark Moves for Daniel Mead of Rockwood, who claimed the gelding on Dec. 12 in a winning effort at the same venue. The four-year-old was also claimed the week prior at The Raceway at The Western Fair District. In all, Dark Moves is nine-for-62 and has earned $68,146.

Trainer Richard Moreau had his fleet in top form, winning four races. Itstimetogohome (Creatine, Roy, 1:54) was his first, upsetting at 11-1. Moreau later sent out three straight winners in races seven through nine, including the Manitoba-bred Jim Strikesitrich (Sunshine Beach).

Woodbine Mohawk Park will race next on Thursday, Dec. 22.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink