Forbidden Trade back in top form with third straight

Forbidden Trade (Kadabra) closed relentlessly in the final quarter mile of the Open Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Jun. 27) for his third top-level harness racing win in a row.

He produced modest speed off the start, and driver Bob McClure accepted fourth position as the group of seven entered the first bend. Hey Livvy (Trevor Henry) brought the field to the quarter in :27.2 and half in :56.2. Forbidden Trade dropped four lengths back of the front as Patriarch Hanover (Doug McNair) moved up uncovered approaching three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Forbidden Trade shifted outside on the far turn behind Patriarch Hanover, who passed Hey Livvy for the lead in mid-stretch. Patriarch Hanover battled on as the former pulled alongside, but Forbidden Trade out-finished him and put a head in front at the wire to score in 1:52.2.

Pikachu Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) was third. The win price was $3.20.

FORBIDDEN TRADE REPLAY

Forbidden Trade races for Determination and trainer Luc Blais. The stallion began the season with three straight defeats but is perfect in his three most recent starts. The 2019 Hambletonian champion has earned $2,187,082 and won 24 of 50 career attempts.

The card also featured three divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots second leg for three-year-old trotting fillies.

Hang On Baby (Muscle Mass) was the fastest winner – she cruised to a five-length victory off a partial pocket trip for Henry and trainer John Kennedy. Muscle Up The Gold (McClure) finished second, and Stormont Mabel (Roy) was promoted to third over Shes Beer League (James MacDonald), who was disqualified to fourth due to a pylon violation.

HANG ON BABY REPLAY

Hang On Baby won the Ontario-sired Spring Series earlier this season and is 10-for-19 lifetime. She lifted her earnings into the six-digit range with the win – the total now reads $106,555. Ralph and Sandra Pitt of Cargill own the filly.

Rose Run Xcentric (Kadabra), the winner of last year’s Pure Ivory Trotting Series Final, scored her first victory of the season in the second group with a 1:56.4 clocking. Jody Jamieson piloted the filly to the win. Halo Its Heaven (McNair) was a length-and-a-half back and held off Grace (Chris Christoforou) for place.

ROSE RUN XCENTRIC REPLAY

Robert Don Fellows conditions Rose Run Xcentric for Brookbro Racing of Oakville and Chris Bell of Barrie. The filly missed the board in all four prior starts this year for an overall record of three wins in 13 tries. She has earned $70,327 to date.

Stormont Molly (Angus Hall) took the final split in a lifetime-best 1:55.4 with a confident steer from Sylvain Filion. She was a length-and-a-half clear of Socks N Crocs (McNair). Angelonia (MacDonald) finished third.

STORMONT MOLLY REPLAY

The winner is a Stormont Meadows homebred with three wins in eight career starts and $30,830 in earnings. She debuted this year for trainer Kevin Benn and is perfect in the Grassroots through two legs.

Woodbine Mohawk Park continues action on Tuesday, Jun. 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete Grassroots three-year-old trotting filly standings, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink