Grassroots leg at Mohawk ends in no contest

The third and last Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots harness racing division at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Aug. 22 was ruled a no-contest mid-race due to a loose horse.

The judges made the decision as Feel The Force broke stride before the start and lost driver Trevor Henry before running freely on the track. Henry and Feel The Force sustained no injuries.

The first Grassroots dash of leg four for sophomore trotting colts started the card. Resolute Bay (Resolve,  James MacDonald) kicked out of the pocket at the top of the stretch, left the breaking leader behind, and resisted favourite Warrawee Xalt (Henry) to score in 1:55. The latter needed to find one length more after racing first-up for the entire back half. Fireinsidedmyveins (Chris Christoforou) finished third.

Resolute Bay, owned by The Stable’s Resolute Bay group, has now earned $51,949 and has won four of his 21 career starts. Harry Poulton trains the gelding.

RESOLUTE BAY REPLAY

Dream Of Glory winner Sea Can (Muscle Mass, Bob McClure) began a first-over trek before the midway point, rolled Lexus Ranger (Paul MacDonell) to strike the front, and withstood division leader Renegade Gypsy (James MacDonald) by a neck to win in 1:56. Archery Seelster (Austin Sorrie) rallied for show.

Sea Can is a six-time winner with a $128,868 bankroll in 23 starts. Rockwood resident Mark Etsell trains the gelding, whom he co-owns with Terry Devos of Langton and Peter Porter of Port Dover.

SEA CAN REPLAY

The next racing slate at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday Aug. 23 contains six two-year-old conditions. First post is set for 7:00 p.m.

For complete Ontario Sires Stakes standings, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink